Enhancing growth efficiency and physiological performance in sesame requires the strategic integration of appropriate sowing techniques with balanced nutrient management, particularly in regions where suboptimal establishment and nutrient limitations constrain crop productivity. This study examined the interactive effects of three sowing methods (broadcasting, dibbling, transplanting) and three nutrient levels (100%, 75%, and 50% RDF), supplemented with a 0.2% MnSO₄ foliar spray, on key growth attributes and physiological parameters of sesame. A field experiment with ten treatments was conducted in a randomised block design during summer 2025, including three sowing methods (broadcasting, dibbling, transplanting), three nutrient levels (100%, 75%, 50% RDF) and a control. The dibbling method combined with 100% RDF and MnSO₄ (T₄) produced the best growth and yield performance at all stages. This treatment recorded the highest plant height (107.8 cm), dry weight (27.82 g/plant), and branches (6.97/plant), indicating improved root establishment, nutrient uptake, and canopy development. Physiological parameters also peaked under T₄, with leaf area index (2.87), chlorophyll index (SPAD 38.89), crop growth rate (27.55 g/m²/day), relative growth rate (0.098 g/g/day), seed yield (1062 kg/ha), and stalk yield (2366 kg/ha). These results reflect enhanced photosynthesis, assimilate production, and biomass partitioning. Overall, dibbling with full RDF and Mn supplementation is an effective agronomic strategy for optimizing sesame growth, physiology, and yield, especially in nutrient-limited and dryland conditions.
Sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata), uniquely consumed fresh and raw directly from the cob, is increasingly grown with heavy chemical fertilisers that pose serious risks to consumer health and food safety, and the present study hypothesised that replacing a portion of chemical fertilisers with eco-friendly bio-stimulants would enhance nutrient uptake, chlorophyll synthesis, and assimilate partitioning to improve productivity without compromising human health. A field experiment was conducted during Summer 2026 (February-May 2026) at the old farm of SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Baburayanpettai, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India, in a Randomised Block Design with twelve treatments comprising foliar applications of seaweed extract (SWE), moringa leaf extract (MLE) and legume-derived protein hydrolysate (LDPH) at varying concentrations, each combined with 75% or 100% recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF). Plant height, leaf area index, SPAD, dry matter production, yield attributes and yield of sweet corn hybrid Sugar 75 were recorded at 30, 50 and 70 days after sowing. Foliar application of SWE @ 10% + 100% RDF (T4) significantly surpassed all other treatments in plant height (196.2 cm), LAI (5.84), SPAD (67.2) and DMP (17,520 kg/ha) at 70 DAS, recording the highest green stover yield (49,518 kg/ha) and fresh cob yield (16,297 kg/ha; dehusked). Spearman's correlation confirmed strong positive associations among LAI, SPAD, DMP and yield, and SWE @ 10% with 100% RDF (T4) is recommended as a safe and sustainable strategy for maximising sweet corn productivity.
Lettuce production is affected by declining soil fertility, high fertiliser costs, and improper fertiliser use, increasing dependence on chemical inputs. However, limited research on aquatic plant-based organic fertilisers and their effectiveness in improving lettuce growth and yield restricts their adoption as sustainable alternatives Based on this, the present investigation was conducted during the spring season of 2026 at the University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, Hue City, Vietnam, to assess the effect of organic foliar fertiliser derived from aquatic plants on the growth and yield of lettuce. The field experiment was set up in a randomised complete block design with three replications in spring season 2026 and comprised five treatments: control (water spraying); SW Canada (spraying ratio 1:10), SW (spraying ratio 1:10), WH (spraying ratio 1:10) and SW and WH (1:1) (spraying ratio 1:10). The combined application of SW and WH considerably boosted lettuce production and its constituents at p less than 0.05. More precisely, applying SW and WH (1:1) (spraying ratio 1:10) together produced the high leaf area (16.0 dm2), and yield (9.32 t/ha) as well as brix content (2.47%), nitrate content ( less than 50 mg/kg). In general, a 1:10 ratio of SW and WH (1:1) may be the best rate for producing lettuce with high yield and quality in the research location.
In the current era of climate change, growing ecologically sound and climate-resilient crops can be considered a suitable adaptation option. In this regard, grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolour L. Moench) is distinguished for drought tolerance and adaptability to marginal lands, and plays a pivotal role in ensuring food and nutritional security in semi-arid and tropical regions as an alternative cereal, after rice and maize. However, suboptimal nitrogen (N) management limits its productivity. Considering the need to optimise nitrogen requirement, a field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-25 at the M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Gajapati district, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomised Block Design with 11 nitrogen levels ranging from 0 to 200 kg N/ha and replicated thrice. Phosphorus and potassium were applied uniformly, as recommended (40:40 kg/ha of P2O5 and K2O, respectively). The results revealed that increasing nitrogen levels significantly enhanced growth, yield attributes, and yield of sorghum. The highest plant height (277 cm), dry matter accumulation (1658.13 g/m²), leaf area index (4.72), and stem girth (7.4 cm) were recorded with 200 kg N/ha. Similarly, panicle length (38.4 cm), panicle weight (172 g), number of grains per panicle (1384 grains), and test weight (29.6 g) were noted under the same treatment. The application of 200 kg N/ha produced the highest grain (3642 kg/ha), stover (12146 kg/ha), and biological yield (15788 kg/ha), remaining statistically similar to 160 and 180 kg N/ha in most cases. Although the highest yield was obtained with 200 kg N/ha, treatments between 160 and 180 kg N/ha showed statistically similar results, indicating scope for economic optimisation of nitrogen in sorghum cultivation under the tropical South Odisha conditions during the Rabi season.
Sweet corn productivity is limited by water scarcity and inefficient irrigation practices in semi-arid regions. Drip irrigation and plastic mulching can improve water use efficiency and crop growth. However, their combined effects under different mulch colours and irrigation regimes are not well understood under Tamil Nadu conditions. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different irrigation levels and coloured plastic mulches on the growth, physiological, and root parameters of sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) during summer season of 2026 in Department of Agronomy, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Baburayanpettai, Chengalpattu 603 201, Tamil Nadu. The study carried out with Randomized Block Design comprising eleven treatments with three replications involving three irrigation levels (75%, 100%, and 125% ETc) combined with black, silver-on-black, and white-on-black plastic mulches, along with control and farmers’ practice. The results revealed that growth, physiological attributes and yield of sweet corn were significantly influenced by irrigation regimes and mulch types. Drip irrigation at 125% ETc combined with silver-on-black plastic mulch recorded the highest plant height (77.3 and 186.2 cm at 30 and 60 DAS), stem girth (5.9 and 8.1 cm), internodal length (8.7 and 22.1 cm), leaf area index (1.74 and 3.67), SPAD value (40.68 and 42.68), root length (20.1 and 36.6 cm), dry matter production (103.57 and 780.21 g/m²), cob yield (19,260 kg/ha) and fodder yield (38,640 kg/ha). The superior performance was attributed to improved soil moisture availability, favourable microclimatic conditions and enhanced photosynthetic activity. The study concludes that drip irrigation at 125% ETc in combination with silver-on-black plastic mulch is an effective strategy for improving growth, physiological performance and productivity of sweet corn.
