The study was conducted from June, 2020 to January, 2021 in two villages namely; Chinna Tandrapadu and Mandoddi of Ieeja Mandal, Gadwal district, Telangana, India to assess the lodged crop using the sentinel-I data with two polarizations and two cross polarisations backscatter values. The two major methods were direct Seeding and transplanting. In direct-seeded rice, seeds were directly sown in the field, the plants did not have deep root penetration and were susceptible to crop lodging, a major problem during the flowering and grain-filling stages, leading to crop loss and damage during the monsoon season. The area under the crop was estimated using remote sensing, which provided real-time, reliable, and quick information. Microwave data with its longer wavelength (1 mm to 100 mm) could penetrate through clouds and other atmospheric particles, and hence its usage in monitoring rice ecosystems gained importance. In this study, Sentinel-1A images were utilized for analysis. The multi-temporal C-band dual-polarization VV, VH, and their combinations VV VH-1 and VH VV-1 backscattering values were studied throughout the crop growth period. The backscatter values obtained from the crop during the growth stages were analyzed using the paired t-test. It revealed that the flowering, dough, and maturity stages were the periods when the lodged crop could be discriminated from the unlodged crop at the VV and VH polarizations. The band cross-combinations VV VH-1 and VH VV-1 were not able to discriminate the lodged crop.

A comprehensive field investigation was conducted to enhance the productivity, profitability, and water use efficiency (WUE) of summer okra through the optimization of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer application. The study involved 3 irrigation levels – 0.75 Epan (pan evaporation) as I1, 1.00 Epan as I2, and 1.25 Epan as I3 – as the main plot factors, and 4 nitrogen concentrations – 75% recommended nitrogen dose (RDN) as N1, 100% RDN as N2, 125% RDN as N3, and 150% RDN as N4 – as the subplot variables. The results of the study revealed a significant influence of irrigation and nitrogen levels on various key parameters. Above-ground dry matter, yield, plant height, WUE, net returns, and benefit-to-cost ratio (B:C) exhibited an incremental trend with increasing irrigation and nitrogen levels, up to a certain threshold. Beyond this threshold, further increments in irrigation and nitrogen led to diminishing returns. The models developed for estimating crop yield, above-ground dry matter, plant height, WUE, net returns, and B:C demonstrated impressive accuracy, with high coefficients of determination (R2) and satisfactory precision. The optimized irrigation level (crop evapotranspiration, ETc) ranged from 418.39–441.23 mm. At the same time, the ideal nitrogen application rate was found to be in the range of 167.04–176.13 kg N/ha. These optimal conditions resulted in peak crop yield of 28 295 kg/ha, above-ground dry matter of 6 709.1 kg/ha, plant height of 66.3 cm, WUE of 5.26 kg/m3, B:C of 4.54, and net returns amounting to 441 133 INR/ha. In conclusion, the application of response surface methodology facilitated the identification of the impact of each factor on individual responses, as well as the determination of optimal conditions that simultaneously maximize multiple desirable outcomes. These findings hold significant promise for improving the cultivation of summer okra while optimizing resource use and economic returns.

This study evaluates the yield and quality traits of three tomato hybrids—US-440, PHS-448, and Heemsona—across varying planting dates under semi-arid conditions in Southern Telangana. Conducted at the Water Technology Centre, PJTSAU, Hyderabad, the research employed a Factorial Randomized Block Design, focusing on eight transplanting dates between March and October 2020. Significant differences were observed in several parameters, including average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, total yield, and quality traits such as total soluble solids (TSS) and ascorbic acid content. The mid-October planting (D7) resulted in the highest average fruit weight (66.12 g) and yield (61.94 t ha⁻¹), highlighting this period as the most favorable for optimal productivity. Hybrid Heemsona consistently outperformed the others, achieving the highest yield (47.96 t ha⁻¹) and TSS (3.99° Brix), demonstrating its potential for both quantity and quality. However, the study revealed a trade-off between quality traits and yield, with TSS and ascorbic acid content inversely related to yield performance. Additionally, higher nitrogen uptake and dry matter production were linked to the D7 planting, stressing the importance of nutrient management during this critical planting window. The findings underscore the significance of selecting the appropriate planting date to enhance tomato production in semi-arid regions, providing valuable insights for growers aiming to balance yield and quality. This research offers practical guidance for optimizing tomato cultivation through strategic planting and hybrid selection.

A field experiment was conducted in red sandy loam soils at College Farm, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Telangana, India during the rabi seasons of 2018–19 and 2019–20. The objective of the experiment was to investigate the impact of drip irrigation regimes and fertigation levels on the yield and economic aspects of brinjal during rabi season. The treatments comprised of three levels of irrigation (I1: 0.8 Epan, I2: 1.0 Epan and I3: 1.2 Epan) as main plots and four fertigation levels [F60: 60%; F80: 80%; F100: 100% and F120: 120% of the recommended dose of N and K (150 kg N and 90 kg K2O ha-1)] as subplots, with each treatment replicated thrice. The results indicated that scheduling drip irrigation at 1.0 Epan and fertigation with 100% RDNK resulted in highest fresh fruit yield (41.6 t ha-1), water productivity (0.50 t m-3), net returns (Rs. 1,88,017 ha-1) and benefit: cost (B:C) ratio (2.3) over rest of the treatments. However, this treatment demonstrated comparable yields with that of 120% RDNK applied under the same irrigation regime (1.0 Epan) (41.9 t ha-1), as well as to treatments involving drip irrigation scheduled at 1.2 Epan with fertigation at either 100% (41.8 t ha-1) or 120% (41.9 t ha-1) RDNK. The yield improvement and water saving due to scheduling of drip irrigation at 1.0 Epan in combination with fertigation at 100% RDNK, was to the tune of 28% and 22%, respectively over I0.8F60 (0.8 Epan+60% RDNK) treatment.

A field experiment was conducted at College farm, Water Technology Centre, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University (PJTSAU), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during 2018 to 2019 to study the effect of differential drip irrigation and fertigation schedules on yield and economics of summer sesame. The experiment was framed with ten treatments viz., two irrigation levels (0.8 and 1.0 Epan), two fertigation levels (75% and 100% recommended dose of Nitrogen and Potassium), two schedules (Equal and differential) and two treatments with soil application of 100% RDF with Drip irrigation (1.0 Epan) and conventional furrow irrigation (1.0 IW/CPE) and were replicated thrice in Randomized Block Design. The results revealed that, application of 100% recommended dose of Nitrogen and Potassium (RDNK) through drip fertigation @ 0.8 or 1.0 Epan either in differential dosages based on crop growth stage or in equal splits recorded significantly superior yields (1011, 971, 977 and 990 kg/ ha, respectively) compared to the other treatments. These treatments recorded 13.5 and 26.7% higher yields, obtained from soil application of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with drip irrigation at 1.0 Epan (882 kg/ha) and furrow irrigation at a 1.0 IW/CPE ratio (774 kg/ha). Further, the highest water productivity of 0.24 kg/m3 was recorded with differential application of 100% RDNK under a drip irrigation regime of 0.8 Epan. This treatment also recorded the highest gross returns ( ₹ 96,489 /ha), net returns (₹ 53,604 /ha) and B:C ratio (2.95).

Early-season agricultural drought is frequent over South Asian region due to delayed or deficient monsoon rainfall. These drought events often cause delay in sowing and can even result in crop failure. The present study focuses on monitoring early-season agricultural drought in a semi-arid region of India over 5-year period (2016-2020). It utilizes hydro-climatic and biophysical variables to develop a combined drought index (CDI), which integrates anomalies in soil moisture conditions, rainfall, and crop-sown area progression. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR)-based soil moisture index (SMI) represents in situ measured soil moisture with reasonable accuracy (r=0.68). Based on the highest F1-score, SAR backscatter in VH (vertical transmit-horizontal receive) polarization with specific values for parameter threshold (-18.63 dB) and slope threshold (-0.072) is selected to determine the start of season (SoS) with a validation accuracy of 73.53%. The CDI approach is used to monitor early-season agricultural drought and identified drought conditions during June-July in 2019 and during July in 2018. Conversely, 2020 experienced consistently wet conditions, while 2016 and 2017 had near-normal conditions. Overall, the study highlights the use of SAR data for early-season agricultural drought monitoring, which is mainly governed by soil moisture-driven crop-sowing progression. The proposed methodology holds potential for effective monitoring, management, and decision-making in early-season agricultural drought scenarios.

The water saving technology for lowland rice cultivation was very crucial because of in the future irrigation water become scarce and competed with other sectors. The lowering of the availability of irrigation water had the impact for sustainability of rice production. The study revealed that treatment I1 attributed by the highest total water use (1646 mm) and the lowest Water productivity (0.46 kg m−3) produced the highest grain yield (7.56 t/ha). Treatment I5 and I6, on the contrary, gave the second highest yield (7.21 and 7.05 t/ha) and consequently the second highest water productivity (0.65 and 0.59 kgm−3) indicating quite a large water saving (26.6 and 35

The field investigation was carried out to evaluate the influence of fertigation levels, mulch and drip irrigation levels on yield and yield quality at WTC fields, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Telangana during 2020-21 and 2021-22. The study was consisted of 12 treatment combinations viz. 75%, 100% (300-60-120 kg ha-1 N-P2O5-K2O & 125% RDF, drip irrigation levels (0.8 Epan & 1.0 Epan) imposed under factorial combination of mulch (M1) and no mulch (M0) conditions. An investigation was undertaken during rabi season. Among the fertigation levels, 100% RDF (31.15 t ha-1, 195.04 mg 100 g-1, 10.33% & 0.94%, respectively) recorded the higher fresh fruit yield, ascorbic acid content, oleoresin content and capsaicin content in pooled data. With regards to mulch, the M1 has recorded the maximum values for fresh fruit yield (37.56 t ha-1), ascorbic acid content (224.43), oleoresin content (11.11%) and capsaicin content (0.74%) in pooled data.

Maize is a short duration crop. Accurate and up-to-date assessment of the spatial distribution of cultivated area and its production is a key information requirement for all stakeholders including policy makers, farmers and consumers. The study utilized Sentinel-2A/2B satellite based NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data to study yield variability of maize in Siddipet district of Telangana state, in 2019. NDVI is a quantitative measurement of crop vigour, which denotes the crop biomass and health status. A regression analysis was developed between observed yield from crop cut experimental plots and seasonal maximum NDVI of maize area. Results showed that there was statistically significant relation (R2=0.87) between NDVI and observed yield at respective field plots. Validation of yield model with Root Mean Squared Error (RSME) computed for all observed and predicted yields was 0.50 explaining higher accuracy of the yield model. The average seasonal rainfall received in different mandals of Siddipet district was between 727 to 799 mm and during the crop growth period the yields were recorded in the range of 4.2 to 5.0 t ha-1. This showed that the distribution of rainfall has played a major role in yield prediction. The 31st Standard Week Rainfall (SWR) coinciding with the peak vegetative growth showed a significant positive correlation (r=0.68***) with maize yield data at p<0.001.

Soil variability is major factor behind the less yield, higher cost of cultivation and minimum profit. Geostatistics, principal component analysis and Fuzz C mean cluster algorithms are used to check soil spatial variability and help in reduction of spatial variability by diving field in to different management zone. Spatial variability of soil of Telangana was measured and also developed eight management zones for four ha using geostatistical analysis, Principal component analysis and Fuzz C mean cluster algorithm. Using above information, Field experiments were conducted at Khammam, Telanagana during rabi-2021 to demonstrate SSNM technique on farmer field using soil test crop response and targeted yield concept in maize crop. In this study, there are three treatments used: Treatment -1: - Fertilizer application based on eight soil sample testing, Treatment- 2: - Fertilizer application based on one soil sample testing, and Treatment -3: - Farmer fertilizer practices. The study concluded that grain yield over farmer fertilizer practices was highest in treatment -1 followed by treatment -2. Maximum gross return and gross return per ha over farmer fertilizer practice were observed in treatment -1 (Rs. 170170 and Rs. 26180.00 respectively) followed by treatment -2 (Rs. 157080 and Rs. 13090.00 respectively).

A field experiment was conducted on maize (Zea mays L.) during rabi (November to February), 2018–19 to study the effect of drip fertigation of Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K) and microbial consortium (MC) on growth, yield, water productivity and economics at Water Technology Centre, PJTSAU, Hyderabad, Telangana state, India. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design and replicated thrice. The treatments, comprising of two fertility levels viz., 75% and 100% recommended dose (RD) of N and K as first factor and biofertigation of Microbial Consortium (MC) as second factor. The interaction effect between RD of N and K and biofertigation of MC was not significant. Significantly higher LAI, DMP, grain yield and water productivity was recorded with fertigation of 100% RD N and K compared to 75% RD N and K. Biofertigation of MC 5 times and 3 times recorded significantly higher LAI, DMP, grain yield and water productivity. Net returns recorded with fertigation of 75% and 100% RD of N and K were not significantly different. Among biofertigation of MC, significantly higher net returns were observed in biofertigation of MC five times and was on par with biofertigation of MC three times. 75% RD of N and K recorded higher B:C ratio and was on par with 100% RD N and K in fertigation levels. Among biofertigation of MC, there was no significant difference in B:C ratio was observed between biofertigation of MC five times and three times and were significantly superior over soil application of MC.

The study explained comparison of the biophysical parameters with in the two rice cultures. Study was conducted in the farmers field at Jogulamba Gadwal District of Telangana under same management practices. The biophysical parameters were recorded during the crop growth stages like Vegetative, Maximum Tillering, Panicle initiation, Flowering and Maturity. The data was analyzed by using the two-sample t test with equal variances reveled that there were no significant differences was observed in the dry matter produced, SPAD and LAI values of the two rice cultures at Vegetative, Maximum Tillering, Panicle initiation, Flowering and Maturity of the crop growth. The significant difference was found in the plant height at Maximum Tillering, Panicle initiation and Flowering. The total number of tillers were also significant at flowering Due to the pest infestation in the TPR reported the highest number of tillers when compared with D-DSR, the number of tillers at harvest were also less due to unproductive tillers damaged by pest in TPR than D-DSR.

A field experiment was conducted on maize (Zea mays L.) during rabi (November - February), 2018–19 to study the effect of drip fertigation of Nitrogen (N), Potassium(K) and microbial consortium (MC) at Water Technology Centre, College of Agriculture, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design and replicated thrice. The treatments, comprising of two fertility levels viz., 75% and 100% recommended dose (RD) of N&K as first factor and biofertigation of MC as second factor. The interaction effect between RD of N, K and biofertigation of MC was not significant. Significantly higher cob length, cob girth, number of rows cob-1, cob weight, number of grains cob-1 and grain weight cob-1 were recorded with fertigation of 100% RD of N&Kcompared to 75% RD of N&K and five MC biofertigation recorded significantly higher cob length, cob girth, number of rows cob-1, cob weight , number of grains cob-1 and grain weight cob-1 than that of treatment without application of MC and was on par with biofertigation of MC three times. Maize grain and stover yield recorded with 100% RD of N&K were significantly higher compared to 75% RD of N&K. Biofertigation of MC five times and three times were on par and recorded significantly higher grain and stover yield compared to treatment without application of MC. Significantly lower grain and stover yield were observed under treatment without application of MC

A field experiment was conducted at Water Technology Centre, College farm, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad with sunflower (variety DRSH-1) during rabi 2017-18 in a randomized block design with three replications and the treatments were nine with combinations of N (75 kg ha-1) and K (30 kg ha-1) fertilizers applied by fertigation through ventury at different intervals viz., 3 days and 4 days. Drip irrigation was scheduled once in 2 days at 0.8 E pan. Fertigation was imposed at 16 DAS to 88 DAS and completed in 19 and 10 splits in 4 and 8 days interval respectively. The source of N and K fertilizers was urea and potassium sulphate respectively. The soil was sandy clay loam in texture, alkaline in reaction, non saline, low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and potassium. The amount of total irrigation water applied was 3188 m3 and 4666 m3 in drip irrigation and furrow irrigation treatments, respectively. The N and K fertigation (75-30 kg N-K2O ha-1) at 4 days interval has recorded relatively higher plant growth parameters like number of leaves plant-1 (25.5), plant height (208 cm), SPAD Chlorophyll Meter Reading (55.7), leaf area index (3.5) and dry matter (158.1 g m-2) which were on par with N and K at 8 days interval. Higher N-FUE (12.8 kg seed yield / nutrient applied) and K-FUE (25.6 kg seed yield / kg nutrient applied) was recorded in application of N+K at 4 days interval.

A study was carried out using the temporal Sentinel-1B microwave data (June to November at 12 days interval) and Sentinel-2A/2B optical data (June to November) to discriminate the maize crop from other competing crops rice and cotton in Siddipet district, Telangana state, India during kharif, 2019 (June to November). The study utilized the data from multiple sources such as Multi-temporal VH backscatter intensity from Sentinel-1B SAR and NDVI values from Sentinel-2A/2B in combination with field data to discriminate the maize crop. Synchronous to satellite pass, ground truth data on crop parameters viz., crop stage, crop vigour, biomass, plant height, plant density, soil moisture, LAI and chlorophyll content were collected. Multi-temporal VH backscatter intensity and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data were used to characterize backscatter and greenness behaviour of the maize crop. The backscatter intensity (dB) for maize crop ranged from -21.83 (the lowest backscatter values) at planting to -12.52 (the highest backscatter values) at peak growth stage. The NDVI values during vegetative and reproductive stages (August and September) were >0.6 and during senescence to harvesting the values were less than or equal to 0.52. The increase in backscatter intensity values from initial vegetative stage to peak stage was due to increased volume scattering of the maize crop canopy and a continuous decline in backscatter intensity values of VH band at maturity stage, was due to decrease in greenness and moisture content in leaves of the maize crop helped in maize crop discrimination from other dominant kharif crops in the study area.

The experiment was carried out during rabi season of 2018-19 at Water Technology Centre, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad on capsicum (Capsicum annuum var. grossum L.) with respect to different nitrogen and potassium fertigation levels under poly house. The experiment comprised of three replications in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with two factors {i.e. N levels (4), K levels (3) } and twelve treatments Viz; N fertigation levels of 0 %, 120 % (216 kg N ha-1) , 150 % (270 kg N ha-1), 180 % (324 kg N ha-1) and K fertigation levels of 0 %, 80 % (96 kg K2O ha-1), 100% (120 kg K2O ha-1) respectively. The 100 % RDF was 180, 90 and 120 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1. The source of N was urea, P was single super phosphate (SSP) and K was white muriate of potash (MOP). The N and K were applied through drip fertigation on every fourth day during different crop growth stages. In the fertigation programme, during crop establishment stage (10 DAT to 14 DAT), 10 % of N and K2O were applied in two splits. During vegetative stage, (15 to 46 DAT) 30 % of N and 20 % of K2O were applied in eight splits. During flower initiation to fruit development (47 DAT to 74 DAT) 20 % of N and K2O were applied in seven splits. From fruit development till final harvesting stage (75 DAT to 154 DAT) 40 % of N and 50 % K2O were applied in 20 splits in a total of 37 splits. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam in texture with low in available nitrogen (166.5 kg ha-1), medium in available phosphorus (81.1 kg P2O5 ha-1) and low in available potassium (245.4 kg K2O ha-1). Irrigation was scheduled at 0.8 Epan based on pan evaporation data. The total water applied to the crop was 414.8 mm. The total nitrogen content in capsicum shoots ranged from 3.41 to 4.57 %, 4.29 to 6.35 %, 4.43 to 6.67%, 4.76 to 6.86% and 4.53 to 6.58% at 30, 60, 90, and 120 and at final harvest respectively. In fruits, it ranged from 4.11 to 6.49 %, 3.92 to 6.35%, 4.01 to 6.25 % at 90, 120 and at final harvest respectively. The total phosphorus content in capsicum shoots ranged from 0.13 to 0.23 %, 0.42 to 0.92%, 0.14 to 0.33%, 0.12 to 0.24% and 0.12 to 0.20% at 30, 60, 90, 120 and at final harvest respectively. In fruits it ranged from 0.20 to 0.59 %, 0.24 to 0.57 %, 0.26 to 0.70 % at 90, 120 and at final harvest respectively. The total potassium content in capsicum shoots ranged from 0.87 to 1.83 %, 1.77 to 2.65%, 1.50 to 2.23%, 0.96 to 1.54% and 0.83 to 1.38% at 30, 60, 90, 120 and at final harvest respectively. In fruits it ranged from 1.02 to 1.47%, 0.98 to 1.35%, 0.93 to 1.28% at 90, 120 and at final harvest respectively.

A field experiment was conducted at Agro Climate Research Center, Agricultural Research Institute, P.J.T.S Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India during rabi 2019-20. The field experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The treatments comprising of three irrigation scheduling based on (Depletion of Available Soil Moisture) at 60% DASM, 40% DASM and 20% DASM as main plots and three nitrogen levels viz., 90, 180 and 240 kg N ha-1 as sub-plots. The experiment was laid out in split plot design. The results indicated that, among the different treatment combinations, the crop irrigation scheduled at 20 % DASM in conjunction with 240 kg N ha-1 accumulated significantly more dry matter of 34.2 g, 149.2 g, 233.7 g and 284.8 g plant-1, at 6th leaf, silking, dough and physiological maturity stages, respectively. The nitrogen uptake was found to be more when the crop was irrigated at 20 % DASM in conjunction with 240 kg N ha-1 (67.1 g, 231.8 g, 294.7 g and 305.3 g plant-1) at 6th leaf, silking, dough and physiological maturity stages, respectively.

An experiment on cauliflower was carried out at Water Technology Centre, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana during rabi 2019-2020. Experiment was laid out in split plot design with nine treatments consists of three drip irrigation levels (0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 Epan) as main plots and three NK fertigation levels (Control, 40:50 and 80:100 kg N and K2O ha-1) as subplots. The results revealed that drip irrigation at 1.0 EPan recorded significantly higher curd yield ( 18.7 t ha-1) followed by 0.8 EPan ( 17.1 t ha-1) and lower curd yield ( 15 t ha-1) was obtained at 0.6 EPan. Fertigation at 80:100 kg N - K2O ha-1 recorded significantly higher curd yield (23.8 t ha-1) than 40:50 kg N - K2O ha-1 (19.7 t ha-1) and lower curd yield (7.2 t ha-1) was obtained in control treatment. Higher water productivity (9 kg m-3) of cauliflower recorded at lower drip irrigation regime of 0.6 Epan than 0.8 (8 kg m-3) and lower water productivity (7.2 kg m-3) recorded at higher drip irrigation regime of 1.0 Epan. It was recommended that scheduling of drip irrigation at 1.0 Epan and fertigation scheduled at 80:100 kg N - K2O ha-1 to obtain higher curd yield where as high water productivity was observed in drip irrigation regime of 0.6 Epan.