This study evaluated the production of cellulase, pectinase, amylase, and oxalic acid in different strains of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum under varying pH and temperature conditions. All strains produced cellulase and pectinase, with strain SSIT1 showing the highest activities. Optimum cellulase and pectinase production occurred at pH 6.0 and 30 °C. Amylase activity varied among strains, with SSIT1 again being the most efficient producer, showing maximum activity at pH 6.0 and 25 °C. All strains secreted oxalic acid, with SSIT1 producing the highest levels. The consistency of optimum conditions across enzymes highlights pH 6.0 and moderate temperatures (25–30 °C) as favorable for enzyme activity. Notably, a positive correlation was observed between oxalic acid production and pathogenicity, with SSIT1 emerging as the most virulent strain and the highest oxalic acid producer, whereas less virulent strains secreted lower levels. These findings suggest that oxalic acid plays a critical role in disease development. Overall, the study identifies SSIT1 as a robust strain capable of producing high levels of cellulase, pectinase, amylase, and oxalic acid. Its strong enzymatic profile not only enhances understanding of fungal pathogenicity but also underscores its potential for diverse biotechnological applications where hydrolytic enzymes are of industrial importance.

The term "zinc-solubilizing bacteria" (ZSB) refers to a specific group of soil bacteria that are associated with zinc-solubilizing activity in the soil through a variety of mechanisms. The functional use of ZSB has been proposed for the zinc (Zn) biofortification of crops to address Zn malnutrition. The application of zinc-solubilizing bacterial inoculants that harbor significant plant probiotic traits offers an eco-friendly approach to producing crops with improved Zn content in various edible parts of plants. In soil, ZSB solubilize complex forms of Zn compounds by producing organic acids and employing other mechanisms (such as the secretion of "siderophore," extrusion of "proton," expression of "oxidoreductive systems" on cell membranes, and secretion of "chelated ligands"), making the resulting soluble form of zinc readily accessible to plants. ZSB also act as plant growth stimulators, demonstrating both direct and indirect mechanisms that promote robust plant growth. In recent years, the application of two or more ZSB strains in a consortium has gained attention as a cost-effective alternative for Zn biofortification. This approach may serve as a promising strategy for promoting plant growth and optimizing yield performance. This review discusses various methods of Zn biofortification, highlighting ZSB and their consortia in increasing Zn content in grains and other edible crop parts, as well as the mechanisms involved in Zn solubilization by these bacteria. This insight paves the way for developing eco-friendly strategies that integrate microbial-based solutions to improve crop nutrient bioavailability.

ABSTRACT The rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system faces major challenges such as stagnant yields, high input and energy demands, and increasing soil and air pollution. Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is a promising crop for diversification within rice‐based ecosystems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different sowing dates and nutrient sources on energy budgeting in diversified Indian mustard and to assess the impact of these nutrient sources on heat‐cum‐carbon efficiency. The experiment was conducted using a split‐plot design (SPD) with three sowing dates—November 17, November 27, and December 07—in the main plots, and eight nutrient sources in the subplots, where the recommended dose of fertilizer was 100 N:50 P2O5:50 K2O:40 S kg ha−1. The results, based on pooled data, indicated that among the sowing dates, November 17 recorded the highest values for several key metrics. These include energy use efficiency (EUE: 3.46, 5.12, and 12.16), energy production (EP: 0.152, 0.41, and 0.56 kg MJ−1), net energy (NE: 29,712, 50,483, and 92,558 MJ ha−1), energy profitability (EPr: 2.46, 2.88, and 6.34), human energy profitability (HEP: 364.82, 412.60, and 777.42), energy output efficiency (EOE: 364.69, 412.49, and 777.18 MJ d−1), carbon output (CO: 815, 2215, and 3030 kg CE ha−1), carbon efficiency (CE: 2.07, 5.59, and 7.66), and carbon sustainability index (CSI: 1.07, 4.59, and 6.66) for seed, stover, and biological yield, respectively, compared to the crops sown on November 27 and December 07. The study also revealed significant increases in heat use efficiency (HUE) on dry matter at 45 and 90 days after sowing (DAS) and on seed, stover, and biological yield (13.3, 8.46, 1.52, 4.16, and 5.69 kg ha−1°C days, respectively). In the subplots, the highest EUE (3.92, 5.10, and 12.1), EP (0.172, 0.408, and 0.58 kg ha−1), and EPr (2.92, 2.86, and 6.78) for seed, stover, and biological yield were observed in the control treatment, outperforming the other nutrient sources on a pooled basis. The highest SE production (8.59, 3.48, and 2.47 MJ kg−1) for seed, stover, and biological yield was recorded with the application of 100% of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) combined with Azotobacter and phosphorus‐solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Furthermore, the highest NE (35,427, 52,203, and 102,370 MJ ha−1), HEP (434.02, 438.67, and 872.68), EOE (448.37, 452.68, and 901.04 MJ d−1), CO (972, 2359, and 3331 kg CE ha−1), CE (2.48, 6.01, and 8.48), CSI (1.48, 5.01, and 7.48), and HUE (1.67, 4.12, and 5.81 kg ha−1°C days) for seed, stover, and biological yield were observed with the application of 75% RDF + 25% nitrogen from pressmud, combined with Azotobacter and PSB. This study provides a novel framework for optimizing sowing dates and nutrient sources that can lead to the development of an energy‐efficient, heat‐cum‐carbon‐efficient, and eco‐friendly production system. Its findings offer scalable solutions for enhancing sustainability and reducing environmental footprints in rice‐based cropping systems.

Background: A long-term experiment on legume crops, integrated with various rice-based cropping systems, was initiated in the 2019-20 agricultural year under the All India Coordinated Research Project. This experiment is being conducted at the research farm of the Department of Agronomy, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology (ANDUAT), Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. The present study focuses on legume crops and was carried out during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. Methods: The present investigation was conducted with ten treatments: T1-rice-wheat-fallow; T2-rice-wheat-green gram; T3- rice-french bean-green gram; T4-rice-gram-cowpea; T5-rice-mustard-green gram; T6-rice-linseed-black gram; T7-rice-berseem-sudan grass; T8-rice-oat-maize+cowpea; T9-rice-cauliflower-okra; and T10-rice-potato-cowpea (vegetable). Result: The rice-frenchbean-greengram cropping sequence consistently outperformed other sequences in terms of grain and straw yields, biological yield and soil microbial activity. The inclusion of legumes and their residues significantly enhanced both yields and soil health, leading to improved microbial populations and enzymatic activities, particularly dehydrogenase and urease.

Background: Mungbean is considered as one of the most important pulse crop that belongs to the family of leguminosae. Seed is a basic input and vital element that plays a crucial role in agriculture production as well as in the national economy. Good quality seed gives high yield and higher biomass, which ultimately increases farmers’ income. Methods: The investigation was performed at the laboratory and research farm of Department of Seed Science and Technology, CCS HAU, Hisar during the summer season 2020, which consists of foliar application of nutrients at the first fortnight after sowing of the crop i.e., water spray @ 550 L/ha, urea @ 1%, urea @ 2%, NPK (18-18-18) @ 1%, NPK (18-18-18) @ 2%, zinc sulphate + urea @ 2% + 0.5%, SOP (00-00-52) @ 2% and urea phosphate (17-44-00) @ 2% along with control (untreated) on mungbean varieties (MH-421 and MH-318). The harvested seeds were evaluated for physiological and biochemical parameters of seed quality. Result: The seed quality parameters (physiological parameters i.e., germination, seedling length, seedling dry weight, vigour indices and biochemical parameters i.e., peroxidase, superoxidase and dehydrogenase activity) were recorded higher when the foliar application of NPK (18-18-18) @ 2% was done in both the varieties.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) continues to impact 657 million individuals worldwide, resulting in lifelong and chronic impairment. The prevalent anti-filarial medications—DEC, albendazole, and ivermectin—exhibit limited adulticidal efficacy. Despite ongoing LF eradication programs, novel therapeutic strategies are essential for effective control. This study examines the mechanism of action of Ocimum sanctum on the filarial parasites Setaria cervi via a synergistic biochemical and proteomics methodology. The ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum (EOS) demonstrated potential anti-filarial action in the MTT reduction experiment, with an LC50 value of 197.24 µg/mL. After EOS treatment, an elevation in lipid peroxidation (51.92%), protein carbonylation (48.99%), and NADPH oxidase (88.88%) activity, along with a reduction in glutathione (GSH) (−39.23%), glutathione reductase (GR) (−60.17%), and glutathione S transferase (GST) (−50.48%) activity, was observed. The 2D gel electrophoresis identified 20 decreased and 11 increased protein spots in the EOS-treated parasites relative to the control group. Additionally, in drug docking analysis, the EOS bioactive substances ursolic acid, rutin, and rosmarinic acid show a significant binding affinity with the principal differentially expressed proteins. This paper demonstrates, for the first time, that the anti-filarial efficacy of EOS is primarily facilitated by its impact on energy metabolism, antioxidant mechanisms, and stress response systems of the parasites.

This study aimed to know the potential of different cropping modules (CMs) that started on the degraded land representing 4450 km(2) of the Vindhyan region of India. The objective of the study was to know (i) the higher carbon dioxide (CO2) biosequestration, (ii) enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions, and (iii) generate carbon (C) credit to the additional income as a climate currency to the farmers. The experiment was carried out on 4-13 years (2010-2022) old practiced CMs viz; (1) Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.) + bajra (Pennisetum glaucum), 13-year; (2) Guava (Psidium guajava) + phalsa (Grewia asiatica), 4-year; (3) Teak (Tectona grandis) + wheat (Triticum aestivum), 10-year; (4) Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), 13-year; (5) Pasture land, 13-year, and (6) Rice (Oryza sativa),13-year. Soil samples were collected from two depths (0-0.15 and 0.15-0.30 m) under 82.7 and 83.33 East longitude and 23.52 and 25.32 North latitudes. Results showed that the mean data of depths pH and electrical conductivity (EC) ranged from 4.4-8.1 and 0.10-0.77 dS m(-1), respectively. Furthermore, the mean data of both depths' bulk density (rho(b)) varied between 1.3 and 1.5 Megagram (Mg) m(-3). The mean data of both depths available soil organic C (ASOC) (7.25 g kg(-1)) and SOC stock (14.43 Mg ha(-1)) in the pasture land-based CMs found 137.7% and 111.0% more over rice-based CMs (3.05 g kg(-1) and 6.84 Mg ha(-1)), respectively. The maximum permanganate oxidizable carbon (POX-C), microbial biomass C in soil (MBCS), and total organic C (TOC) stock based on mean data of both depths were 798.2 mg kg(-1), 92.6 mu g g(-1), and 46.3 Mg ha(-1) found in pasture land-based CMs. Regarding mean data of both depths, the recalcitrant index (RI) and lability index (LI) ranged about 0.4-0.9 and 1.7-2.0, respectively. Moreover, the highest total CO2 biosequestration (124.7 Mg ha(-1)), C credit (US$ 6233 ha(-1)), and the social cost (US$ 10,720 ha(-1)) were observed in eucalyptus + bajra-based CMs. Based on the principal component analysis (PCA) study, the principal component 1 (PC1) and PC2 explained 74.6 and 16.6% variability on various parameters, respectively. Furthermore, the correlation coefficient between ASOC and MBCS was 0.74. The hypothesis of this study was to create agricultural CMs that would restore degraded land levels of SOC fraction, enhance the CO2 biosequestration, and generate C-credit for farmers as a climate currency for additional income. Furthermore, it will fulfil the net zero emission goal and bring down neutral land degradation.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a highly destructive pathogen with widespread impact on common bean (Phasaeolus vulgaris L.) worldwide. In this work, we investigated the efficacy of microbial consortia in bolstering host defense against sclerotinia rot. Specifically, we evaluated the performance of a microbial consortia comprising of Trichoderma erinaceum (T51) and Trichoderma viride (T52) (referred to as the T4 treatment) in terms of biochemical parameters, alleviation of the ROS induced cellular toxicity, membrane integrity (measured as MDA content), nutrient profiling, and the host defense-related antioxidative enzyme activities. Our findings demonstrate a notable enhancement in thiamine content, exhibiting 1.887 and 1.513-fold higher in the T4 compared to the un-inoculated control and the T1 treatment (only S. sclerotiorum treated). Similarly, the total proline content exhibited 3.46 and 1.24-fold higher and the total phenol content was 4.083 and 2.625-fold higher in the T4 compared to the un-inoculated control and the T1 treatment, respectively. Likewise, a general trend was found for other antioxidative and non-oxidative enzyme activities. However, results found were approximately similar in T2 treatment (bioprimed with T51) or T3 treatments (bioprimed with T52). Further, host defense attribute (survival rate) under the pathogen challenged condition was maximum in the T4 (15.55 % disease incidence) compared to others. Therefore, bio priming with consortia could be useful in reducing the economic losses incited by S. sclerotiorum in common beans.

Clusterbean, scientifically referred to as Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub., commonly encounters the challenge of root rot, also known as black root rot, instigated by Rhizoctonia solani, particularly in the kharif season. In fields where neither seed treatment nor soil application of Trichoderma viride were employed, the disease incidence ranged between 18.83 to 25.3%. In contrast, in demonstrated plots during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, where the seeds were treated @ 5 g kg-1 and the soil was treated @ 2.5 kg ha-1, mixed with 250-300 kg FYM and thoroughly incorporated into the field before sowing, the root rot incidence decreased significantly to 9.91 to 10.5%. Comparatively, the disease control rate of the demonstrated approach over the farmers' standard practices was recorded at 53.85%, resulting in a maximum average yield of 13.9 q ha-1. Additionally, the economic gross return and cost-benefit ratio were notably higher in the demonstrated approach (T2) @ Rs. 56,295.00 ha-1 and 3.76, respectively; while in the case of the farmers' practice (T2), it was Rs. 42,120.00 and 3.35.

Agricultural sustainability is founded on the belief that we must meet the demands of the present without affecting future generations' ability to fulfill their demands. Sustainable agriculture attempts to maintain equilibrium between the requirement for food production and the conservation of the ecosystem. Geo informatics technologies are helping in many ways like find out the current scenario of anything like cropping pattern, rotation, the land use and land cover and underground water quality and water table depth; it helps to analyses the finding and makes decisions in the way of achieving sustainable agriculture. Secondary data is collected from state agriculture policy (2021), Statistical abstract of Haryana (2021-22) and state budget 2023-24. The main aim of this study is to understand the current scenario of sustainable agriculture and what’s the role of geo informatics in its development.In Haryana, the agricultural sector remains to be very important to the state's economy, generating 14.5 percent of the state's GDP and employing 51 of the total workforce. Many programs and policies are made by Haryana govt. to conserve the water and soil resources and to achieve sustainable agriculture which is essential for the sustainable growth of state. Some current programs are like at least 72,000 acres were planted with direct-seeded rice in Kharif 2022, and farmers received financial aid total of 29 crores (at 4,000 per acre) to encourage direct-seeded rice cultivation, which uses less water that will be beneficial for the underground water resources. A new initiative called

This study aimed to assess the Effect of irrigation scheduling based on the IW/CPE ratio on soil qualities, growth characteristics and yield of wheat in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of the year 2016-17. In this experiment, the treatment combinations consisting of five irrigation levels viz., CRI stage (I1), 0.6 IW/CPE ratio (I2), 0.8 IW/CPE ratio (I3), 1.0 IW/CPE ratio (I4), and 1.2 IW/CPE ratio (I5) were tried in randomized block design. Whereas the initial irrigation of all treatments is done at the CRI stage (21 DAS), and then, according to the IW/CPE ratio treatments, the crop of the net plot area was harvested from the individual plot for observation. The final seed weight per plot was recorded in kg and converted to q/ha. The result showed the growth attributes, viz., plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of effective shoots per m2, and yield-attributing characters, viz., 1000 grain weight, harvest index, grain, straw, and Biological yield by crop was significantly higher at 1.0 IW/CPE ratio (I4) in the moisture regime, which was at par with 1.2 IW/CPE ratio (I5) in the moisture regime and significantly higher than at the CRI stage (I1), 0.6 IW/CPE ratio (I2), and 0.8 IW/CPE ratio (I3).

An experiment was conducted to assess the growth and yield attribute of rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS) as influenced by conjoint application of treated sewage sludge (TSS) and fertilizer at Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, from June 2017 to May 2019. The treatments comprised:  control, 100% RDF recommended dose of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), 100% RDF + 20 t ha-1 TSS, 100% RDF + 30 t ha-1 TSS, 50% RDF + 20 t ha-1 TSS, 60% RDF + 20 t ha-1 TSS, 70% RDF + 20 t ha-1 TSS, 50% RDF + 30 t ha-1 TSS, 60% RDF + 30 t ha-1 TSS, 70% RDF + 30 t ha-1 TSS. The experiment was laid-out in randomized block design with three replications. The result of our study indicated that higher growth parameter (plant height, greenness index and tillers), yield attribute (length of panicle/ear, grain par panicle/ear) and yield of rice and wheat were recorded under 100% RDF with 20 and 30 t SS ha-1 as compared to 100% RDF alone. However, 70% RDF+ 30 t SS ha-1 had given equivalent or higher yield than 100% RDF in RWCS. Our results suggested that in short term application of sewage sludge would provide higher yield without any harmful/negative impact on environment. On the other hand, if the goal is efficient and economic use of fertilizer with greater sustainability, use as of 70% RDF with 20 and 30 t ha-1 SS as organic amendment can be recommend.

Essential micronutrients are required for humans to sustain proper physiological body processes and a healthy health condition. Micronutrient deficiencies, such as iron, zinc, and iodine, create global health concerns for people. Zinc and iron deficiency are frequent in chickpea growing regions across the world. Bio-fortification of pulse grains, especially with Fe and Zn by agronomic bio-fortification, is the simplest, most practical, and quickest method. During the Rabi season of 2019–20, a field experiment was done at the Bairiya Dhab Research Farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India, to find out effect on chickpea genotypes when Zn and Fe were added to the soil and the leaves. Two genotypes (GCP-105 and GNG-2264) and seven fertilization treatments (control, 0.5% Zn, 0.5% Fe, soil application of Zn and Fe, 25 and 15 kg/ha, respectively) were used in a split plot design with three replications. The GNG-2264 variety had a significantly higher plant height, yield and yield characteristics, such as number of pods per plant, test weight, seed and straw yield and economics viz. gross return, net return (62860 and 37986 ₹/ha), and B: C ratio (2.52) than GCP-105. Among the fertilization treatments, RDF + Zn (0.5%) and Fe (0.5%) foliar spraying at the pre-flowering and pod development stage recorded significantly higher growth and yield parameters viz., plant height (59.89 cm), number of pods/plant (22.31), seed yield (1283 kg/ha) and straw yields 2433 kg/ha), and quality parameters such as zinc and iron content in seed (31.84 and 17.40 ppm) and straw (72.26, 21.79 ppm, respectively) and economics in term of gross return, net return, and B: C ratio.

The present study is a comparative study between Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) signaling and antioxidative enzymatic signaling and deals with induced systemic resistance (ISR) in enhancing the disease resistance in typical tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L.) infected by the collar rot fungus, Sclerotium rolfsii (Teleomorph: Athelia rolfsii) by priming with Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and their microbial consortia by a single strain of Bacillus subtilis, and P. fluorescens as well as by developed microbial consortium with both bacteria. Leaf samples were collected after different durations of pathogen inoculation, i.e., 1, 2, 3, and 4 days, and the systemic level of oxidative stress parameters, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), photosynthetic apparatus, superoxide radicals, and enzymatic antioxidants, were studied. Plant mortality under various treatments in two different seasons was calculated. The highest H2O2 was scavenged by the microbial consortium-treated plants (B1P1) and the lowest in pathogen-challenged plants (PC) compared to the untreated control. Cellular damage and reduction in the chlorophyll pigments were the highest at 48 h, and the photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) was evaluated from 24 to 96 h; the lowest values were observed for pathogen-challenged plants and the highest for B1P1. Enzymatic antioxidants showed the maximum value for B1P1 and the minimum for PC compared to the unchallenged control. Furthermore, an analysis of variance and principal component analysis (PCA) were conducted to examine the effect of the evaluation time (ET) and inoculation conditions (ICs) alone and in combination (ET × IC) on the physiological and biochemical parameters; accordingly, the score and the loading plots were constructed. Tomato root sections inoculated with different treatments were observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to validate the potentiality of primed biocontrol agents in controlling the invasion of the pathogen. Further studies on the potential of this isolate to enhance the plant growth at the field level would strengthen the possibility of using the isolate as an alternative for organic fertilizers and pesticides.

A field experiment was conducted to study the comparative performance of zinc in biofortified rice and their effect on yield attributes, yield and zinc concentration of rice at BAU farm, Sabour in Randomized Block Design replicated thrice during Kharif season of 2021-22. The variety used was Sabour Aaayush. The soil of the experimental plot was silt loam having pH 7.7, organic carbon 0.53%, Low in available Nitrogen (159.88 kg/ha), Phosphorus (26.94 kg P2O5/ha), Potassium (196.69 kg K2O/ha) and initial soil Zn-1.0 mg/kg of soil. The recommended dose of fertilizers i.e. 100-40-20 kg N- P2O5- K2O/ha was applied. In addition to these fertilizers 25 kg zinc sulphate was applied as basal and 0.5% zinc sulphate used as foliar spray at pre flowering and milking stage of rice. The experimental results revealed that RDF (100:40:20)+25 kg/ha zinc sulphate as basal+0.5% zinc sulphate spray as foliar application at pre flowering and milking stage was the best treatment and recorded significantly better values for yield attributes (74.74 grains per panicles,270.33 panicles per m2, 30.18 g test weight),higher grain yield (4.96 t/ha) and higher concentration (30.9 and 91.8mg kg-1 grain and straw respectively) and uptake of Zn in grain (153.3 g ha-1) and in straw (455.2 g ha-1) of bio fortified rice than soil application alone and single spray of Zn and most other treatments. This study brought out that adequate soil application of Zn sulphate followed by its two foliar applications is the best approach.

Organic seed production is need of present scenario, where every person is concern with quality food. The most compelling reason of using organically produced product is, it has less chemical impact on environment. Ensuring quality of organically produced seed is also important criteria where legal standards are checked and certificate of quality provided through various process. In order to understand all the process or organic seed, its production and certification we need to learn about organic seed, its importance, national standards for organic seed production, seed production plans, factors influencing it and many other aspects related to organic seed production. Breeding strategy for organic seed production is an important criterion to breed variety which suits in an eco-friendly cultivation of crops. In India, many farmers produce seed organically however lack of legal certification for their produce make it unable to catch the price as certified organic seed fetch. It is an important issue that everyone involved in organic seed production must know what, how and where they can get and use the input materials for this type of seed production for sustainability. Therefore this chapter include all the materials which are allowed, restricted and prohibited to use for organic seed production and certification. Key challenges and suggested organic farming practices have also been explained which will be helpful for scientific community who are approaching toward eco-friendly agriculture. Special reference has been given to Rajasthan, where from applying for organic seed product to obtain their certificate has been illustrated.

Farmers are not growing diversified crops and applying huge amounts of agrochemicals and imbalanced fertilizers in the rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS), since the 1960s. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbial and nutrient dynamics in Indian mustard ( Brassica juncea L. ) under various sowing environments and nutrient sources during Rabi season (October–March), 2015–2016. The experiment was laid out in the split-plot design with three sowing dates in main-plots, and eight nutrient sources in sub-plots. The maximum bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes population, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), dehydrogenase activities, and available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur (NPKS) were recorded on November 17 sown crop, and the lowest was observed on December 7 sowing during both the years, and in the pooled analysis. Furthermore, applied nutrient sources, highest bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes population, available NPKS, SMBC, and dehydrogenase activity were observed in 75% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) + 25% N through pressmud (PM) + Azotobacto + phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) than other nutrient sources. In conclusion, high demand and cost of chemical fertilizers can be replaced by 25% amount easily and locally available organic manures like PM compost to sustain the soil health and crop productivity. It will be helpful to restore the soil biodiversity in the RWCS and provide a roadmap for the researchers, government planners, and policymakers for the use of PM as a source of organic matter and nutrients.