June 2022 VOLUME: 4 ISSUE-1

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES & ALLIED INDUSTRIES JOURNAL

Exotic Weeds in India: History, Biology, Ecology, Impact, & Management Strategies – A Comprehensive Review

Ravikesh Kumar Pal, Mandeep Kumar, Jitendra Kumar, Sarvesh Kumar, and Syed Moh. Qutadah

  • Pages: 1-11
    • <p>Exotic weeds, also known as alien or invasive weeds, have emerged as a major threat to agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and ecosystem stability in India. These weeds are introduced intentionally or unintentionally from other regions and often establish aggressively due to lack of natural enemies. Over time, several exotic species such as Parthenium hysterophorus, Lantana camara, Eichhornia crassipes, and Chromolaena odorata have spread widely across Indian agro-ecosystems. Their rapid proliferation is attributed to high reproductive capacity, phenotypic plasticity, allelopathy, and adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. This review critically examines the history of introduction, biological and ecological characteristics, economic and environmental impacts, and management strategies of exotic weeds in India. Integrated weed management approaches combining mechanical, chemical, biological, and ecological methods are emphasized as sustainable solutions. The paper also highlights future research needs and policy interventions for effective control of invasive weeds.</p>

Assessment of Biofertilizer (Azotobacter, Azospirillum, and PSB) Integration with Chemical Fertilizers on Chemical Composition of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] cv. Parbhani Kranti

Jitendra Kumar, Vinay Joseph Silas, Syed Mohd Quatadah, Aneeta yadav

  • Pages: 1-4
    • <p>The present investigation entitled &ldquo;Effect of Azotobacter, Azospirillum, and PSB in combination with chemical fertilizers on chemical parameters of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] cv. Parbhani Kranti&rdquo; was conducted during the Kharif season of 2025-2026 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Rama University, Mandhana, Kanpur (U.P.), India. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of biofertilizers and their integration with recommended doses of chemical fertilizers on quality attributes of okra. The experimental results revealed significant improvement in chemical parameters such as ascorbic acid content, titratable acidity, and moisture percentage under integrated nutrient management practices. The optimal results were obtained with the application of 40% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) in combination with 75% PSB, 55% Azotobacter, and 60% Azospirillum, indicating the effectiveness of partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with biofertilizers.&nbsp;</p>

The Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa duch.) Plant Growth Rate, Production, and Quality Parameters Chandlar Var.

Jitendra Kumar1 , Vinay Joseph Silas2 , Raghvendra Singh

  • Pages: 1-7
    • <p>The study, "Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Plant Growth, Production, and Quality Parameters on Strawberry (fragaria x ananassa duch.)," was conducted in October 2025&ndash; 2026 at Rama University's Horticulture Research Farm in Mandhana, Kanpur, U.P., India. Var. Chandlar eight treatments viz., T1 (Control), T2 (100% RDF N: P: K @ 5:18:5 g/plant), T3 (100% RDF + Azotobacter @ 1g/plant), T4 (100% RDF + Azospirillum @ 1g/plant), T5 (50% RDF + Azotobacter @ 1g/plant + topdressing of 50% each of P and K), T6 (50% RDF + Azospirillum @ 1g/plant + topdressing of 50% each of P and K), T7 (50% RDF + Azotobacter @ 1g/plant + PSB @1g/plant + topdressing of 50% K) and T8 (50% RDF + Azospirillum @ 1g/plant + PSB @2g/plant + topdressing of 50% K) in a Randomized Block Design, and their combinations, three times.. By boosting the growth, productivity, and quality of strawberries, the use of fertilizer containing biofertilizers such as Azotobacter and Azospirillum accelerates early flowering and extends the time for harvesting. Total soluble solids, ascorbic acid (mg/100g), total sugars (%), plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, plant area (cm2), number of runners per plant, number of flowers per plant, number of berries per plant, fruit weight (g), fruit length (mm), fruit diameter (mm), fruit yield/plot (kg), and the number of days until first flower and titratable acidity (%) were all maximized by the integrated nutrient management.</p>

Pedal Operated Tubular Maize Sheller for Marginal and Small Farmers

Sarvesh Kumar* , Vinay j. Silas, Ravikesh K. Pal, Kartikay Bisen, Jitendra Kumar, Asish Srivatava, Raghvendra Singh, Syed M. Quatadah, Mandeep Kumar, Anuj Tiwari

  • Pages: 1-5
    • <p>Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple cereal crop widely cultivated across developing countries, especially in India, where marginal and small farmers dominate agricultural production. Postharvest operations such as shelling remain labor-intensive, time-consuming, and inefficient when performed manually using traditional tubular shellers. This study focuses on the design, development, and performance evaluation of a pedal-operated tubular maize sheller aimed at improving efficiency, reducing labor drudgery, and enhancing productivity for smallholder farmers. The developed machine integrates a pedal mechanism with a tubular shelling unit, enabling continuous operation without dependence on electricity or fossil fuels. Experimental results indicate that the sheller achieves a capacity of 58&ndash;62 kg/h, approximately 3&ndash;4 times higher than traditional methods, with shelling efficiency up to 98% and minimal grain damage (&lt;2%). The study concludes that pedal-operated shellers offer a cost-effective, sustainable, and scalable solution for small and marginal farmers, contributing to rural mechanization and livelihood improvement</p>

Study on the performance of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes for seed yield and its component traits at Kanpur agroclimatic condition

Aneeta Yadav, Syed Mohd Quatadah, Rishikesh Kumar Pal, Jitendra Kumar & Vinay Joseph Silas

  • Pages: 1-12
    • <p>The present study was conducted to evaluate genetic variability, yield performance, physiological traits, and interrelationships among twenty-eight chickpea genotypes along with three checks (BGD 72, GNG 663, and Birsa Chana-3) under both timely and late sowing conditions in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Analysis of variance indicated significant differences among genotypes for most yield and yield-related traits, reflecting ample genetic variability for effective selection. Under timely sown conditions, higher seed yield per plant (12.99 g) and per plot (793.06 g) were linked with an increased number of pods per plant (58.27), more secondary branches (6.20), and higher 100-seed weight (22.40 g). In contrast, late sowing led to a considerable reduction in yield per plant (10.86 g) and per plot (409.24 g), mainly due to a decline in pods per plant, as well as primary and secondary branches under heat stress conditions. Among all traits, the number of pods per plant was identified as the most influential contributor to yield across environments. Estimates of genetic parameters revealed that phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was slightly higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for most traits, suggesting moderate environmental influence but a predominance of genetic control. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for 100-seed weight, proline content, protein content, specific leaf area (SLA), and specific leaf weight (SLW) under both environments, indicating the role of additive gene action and the effectiveness of direct selection. Under late sowing conditions, traits such as number of pods per plant and yield per plot exhibited higher heritability and genetic advance, implying better selection efficiency under stress conditions. Physiological traits including proline content, chlorophyll content, and relative water content showed high heritability along with high genetic advance, suggesting their usefulness as reliable selection criteria for heat tolerance. Genotypic correlation analysis further revealed strong positive associations of seed yield with plant height, number of primary branches, seeds per plant, and 100-seed weight under both sowing conditions. Overall, the findings suggest that simultaneous selection for higher pod number, increased seed weight, and improved physiological adaptability can aid in developing high-yielding, heattolerant, and stable chickpea genotypes suitable for changing climatic conditions.</p>

Phenotypic screening of diverse wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes for grain yield and its component traits.

Syed Mohd Quatadah, Vinay Joseph Silas, Jitendra Kumar, Ravikesh Kumar Pal

  • Pages: 1-10
    • <p>The present investigation was conducted during the rabi season of 2025 under late sown conditions at the research farm of FASAI, Rama University, Kanpur, with the objective of assessing genetic variability, trait associations, and selection indices for yield improvement in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A total of 104 diverse genotypes were evaluated using an augmented block design along with four standard checks for thirteen yield and yield-related traits. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all traits studied, indicating the existence of substantial genetic variability and considerable scope for selection. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean (GAM) was recorded for key traits including days to 50% flowering (h&sup2; = 96.3%), number of grains per spike (mean: 52.88; h&sup2; = 91.52%; GAM = 93.92%), grain weight per spike (GCV = 21.26%; h&sup2; = 88.31%; GAM = 90.71%), peduncle length (h&sup2; = 90.17%; GAM = 92.57%), and test weight (mean: 43.22 g; h&sup2; = 94.22%; GAM = 96.62%). These results indicate the predominance of additive gene action and suggest that direct phenotypic selection for these traits would be highly effective. Grain yield per plant (mean: 15.73 g) exhibited moderate heritability (52.75%), reflecting the combined influence of genetic and environmental factors. Genotypic correlation analysis revealed that grain yield per plant had strong positive associations with test weight (0.902**), grain weight per spike (0.600**), harvest index (0.48**), and effective tillers per plant (0.274**), indicating their direct contribution to yield. Additionally, number of grains per spike showed a strong positive correlation with grain weight per spike (0.773**), emphasizing the importance of sink capacity in yield determination. In contrast, traits such as number of spikelets per spike and certain phenological characters exhibited weak or negative associations with grain yield. Overall, grain weight per spike, number of grains per spike, test weight, and effective tillers per plant were identified as the major yield-contributing traits. Given their high heritability and strong positive association with grain yield, these traits can serve as reliable selection indices for the development of high-yielding and stable wheat cultivars under late sown conditions.</p>

Soil Health Card Scheme and Sustainable Soil Management in India: A Review of Farmer Awareness, Utilization and Impact on Agricultural

Dr. Anuj Tiwari

  • Pages: 1-6
    • <p>Soil health is a fundamental component of sustainable agriculture and plays a crucial role in ensuring long-term agricultural productivity, environmental stability, and food security. In India, rapid agricultural intensification following the Green Revolution significantly increased crop production but also resulted in soil degradation, nutrient imbalance, and declining soil fertility. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers, limited application of organic matter, and continuous monocropping systems have adversely affected soil quality across many agricultural regions. Recognizing these challenges, the Soil Health Card Scheme was launched by the Government of India in 2015 to promote balanced fertilizer use and scientific soil nutrient management. The scheme aims to provide farmers with soil nutrient information and crop-specific fertilizer recommendations through soil testing and advisory services. This review paper examines the concept of soil health, the objectives and implementation of the Soil Health Card Scheme, farmer awareness and utilization patterns, socio-economic determinants influencing adoption, and the role of extension services in promoting sustainable soil management. The paper further highlights the constraints faced by farmers and proposes strategic recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the program. The review concludes that strengthening soil testing infrastructure, enhancing farmer education, and improving extension services are essential for maximizing the benefits of the Soil Health Card Scheme and achieving sustainable agricultural development in India.</p>

Soil Health Card Scheme in India: Farmers’ Awareness, Adoption and Challenges – A Comprehensive Review

Dr. Anuj Tiwari

  • Pages: 1-6
    • <p>Soil health plays a critical role in ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. In India, imbalanced fertilizer use, soil nutrient depletion, and declining soil fertility have emerged as major challenges for agricultural development. To address these issues, the Government of India launched the Soil Health Card Scheme on 19 February 2015 with the objective of promoting scientific soil nutrient management. The scheme aims to provide farmers with detailed information regarding soil nutrient status and crop-wise fertilizer recommendations based on soil testing. This review paper examines the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, awareness levels, utilization patterns, and constraints associated with the Soil Health Card Scheme. The review indicates that although farmers possess moderate awareness and utilization of soil health cards, several institutional, infrastructural, and socio-economic factors influence adoption. Extension contact, education, occupation, and social participation are positively associated with awareness and utilization levels. However, delays in soil testing, limited access to laboratories, and lack of technical knowledge restrict effective utilization of soil health cards. Strengthening extension services, farmer training programmes, and soil testing infrastructure is essential for maximizing the benefits of the scheme. The review highlights the importance of integrating soil health management with sustainable agricultural development strategies.</p>

TILLAGE AND PLOUGHING OF SOIL

Mandeep Kumar, Ravikesh Kumar Pal, Raghvendra Singh and Sarvesh Kumar

  • Pages: 1-7
    • <p>Tillage and ploughing are essential agricultural practices that significantly influence soil health and crop productivity. Tillage involves the mechanical manipulation of soil to create favorable conditions for seed germination, root growth, and nutrient uptake, while ploughing, a primary tillage operation, focuses on soil inversion and loosening. These practices improve soil aeration, water infiltration, weed control, and incorporation of organic matter. The concept of tilth reflects the ideal soil condition required for optimal plant development. Various tillage types, including seasonal, off-season, primary, and secondary tillage, serve specific purposes in crop production. Modern tillage systems, particularly conservation tillage, emphasize sustainable soil management by reducing soil disturbance and preserving residues, thereby enhancing long-term soil fertility and environmental sustainability.</p>
other Journals