Increasing population pressure and growing constraints on cultivable land and water resources necessitate improving resource use efficiency through the adoption of advanced and efficient agricultural technologies. With finite resources and a growing global population, agriculture has become increasingly essential as a source of food, fiber, and livestock. Due to their eco-friendly nature, the integration of crop improvement strategies with nanotechnology and plant biostimulants (PB) plays an important role in the development of smart and sustainable agriculture. Improved agricultural techniques have the potential to transform agricultural systems, and as a result, could be a viable option to increase crop yields. The use of advanced technologies such as nanosensors and nanofertilizers derived from nanotechnology has offered promising ways to modernize the farming sector. The usage of nano products might be a reliable answer to increase crop yield to ensure food security. Due to its advantages over conventional agriculture in terms of being safer and healthier for humans, organic farming has attracted a great deal of interest from both consumers and experts. In addition, PB can boost plant resilience and optimize nutrient uptake efficiency, helping to reduce the yield gap between conventional and organic farming. This study investigates the role of nanotechnology and biostimulants in promoting sustainable agriculture and improving crop management practices at the field level. Researchers can use these to grasp the importance of nanotechnology and PB analyse future conditions, and develop strategies to maintain food and nutritional security. This review uniquely integrates nanotechnology and biostimulants within a unified mechanistic framework. We propose a conceptual framework describing how nanocarriers enhance biostimulant stability, signaling, nutrient uptake, and stress resilience, offering a new direction for nano-bioformulation design.

Phosphorus (P) deficiency in soil is a critical constraint in tropical agriculture for resource-poor farmers. P is locked mainly in organic forms which are not readily available to plants. Soil microorganisms and phosphatase enzymes facilitate P cycling and availability and long-term integrated nutrient management (INM) practices can improve these dynamics. This study assessed the influence of INM on soil P fractions and eco-physiological P ratios under a long-term experiment at Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, Bihar, India. Eight treatments involving varying combinations of recommended dose of mineral fertilizers (RDF) and organic amendments were assessed. Results showed that total inorganic P ranged from 1069.64 to 1454.05 mu g P g(-1) soil (54-70% of total P) with highest inorganic P under FYM (Farm Yard Manure) based treatments. Soluble, exchangeable, and Fe-Al bound P peaked in T3 (50% RDF + 50% N-FYM), while Ca-bound P was highest in T4 (75% RDF + 25% NFYM). Total organic P (461.54-1250.78 mu g P g(-1)) and moderately labile organic P (MLPo) were also highest in T3. The total soil P ranged from 1531.18 to 2704.83 mu g P g(-1), with T3 outperforming all treatments. Moderately labile organic phosphorus (MLPo), which accounted for approximately 11% of the total phosphorus (TP), emerged as a key determinant of several eco-physiological ratios, particularly the ratio of acid phosphatase activity to microbial biomass carbon (ACP/MBC), microbial biomass carbon to microbial biomass phosphorus (MBC/MBP), and microbial biomass phosphorus to total phosphorus (MBP/TP). INM enhanced microbial biomass P and phosphatase activities, especially in FYM-treated plots. In conclusion, T3 (50% RDF + 50% NFYM) emerged as the most effective strategy for enhancing P availability and sustaining soil fertility, with MLPo, MBC, MBP and phosphatase activities played a pivotal role in microbial-driven P cycling under integrated nutrient management practices.

Rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) is the backbone of food security in Southeast Asia, particularly in India. However, continuous intensive cultivation has led to sustainability concerns including yield stagnation, poor resource use efficiency, soil organic carbon (SOC) depletion, multi-nutrient deficiencies, pest resurgence, and declining profit margins. Intensification of leguminous crop in the existing RWCS could be a possible solution. Thus a research trial with fifteen different rice-wheat cropping sequences was carried out at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar, India to investigate the impact of crop intensification on rice performances. The effect of green gram inclusion in the RWCS was more pronounced during the second year of experimentation. In this study, there was two conservation agriculture systems i.e. partial and full based on tillage intensity and crop establishment methods. The partial conservation agriculture system i.e. Vattar direct seeded rice (DSR) in which seeds are directly sown in a moist (vattar) soil condition after pre-sowing irrigation and light tillage, followed by zero tillage (ZT) wheat and ZT green gram recorded significantly higher yield attributes which led to enhancement in rice grain and straw yield by 36.8 % and 31.3 % respectively over the existing conventional RWCS in the year 2022. In addition to above, full conservation system of agriculture i.e. ZT DSR where dry seeds are directly drilled into unpuddled soil without any tillage followed by ZT wheat and ZT green gram, representing complete elimination of tillage operations throughout the cropping sequence also showed significantly superior to existing RWCS and observed highest net return (INR 82863 ha- 1), B:C ratio (2.46), net energy (145351 MJ ha- 1), energy use efficiency (14.5 %) and energy productivity (0.45 kg MJ-1) but statistically parallel result with partial conservation system after first year of experimentation. This study demonstrates that the full conservation agriculture-based system (ZT DSR-ZT wheat-ZT green gram) were found the most suitable climate resilient cropping system to intensify RWCS in the middle Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) for overall better performance of rice.

Rice-based cropping systems in the Indo-Gangetic Plains are vital for regional food security, but due to their high energy inputs and environmental impacts, adopting optimized energy budgeting and diversifying the system through intensification can enhance sustainability and resource efficiency. A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar, India during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 to study the productivity and energetics of various rice-based cropping systems under irrigated conditions. The treatment comprised nine rice-based cropping sequences. The rice–cabbage + coriander leaf–sesamum system recorded significantly high system rice equivalent yield, system productivity, system profitability, and relative production efficiency over the rest of the cropping sequences in the study. Moreover, the conventional rice–wheat–mustard system recorded 56.7% lower relative economic efficiency as compared to rice–maize + vegetable pea–sorghum + fodder cowpea, rice–potato + radish–mungbean, and rice–cabbage + coriander leaf–sesamum system. Furthermore, rice–maize + vegetable pea–sorghum + fodder cowpea and rice–cabbage + coriander leaf–sesamum system attained higher energy productivity (371.3–408.6 kg MJ−1) along with the lowest specific energy (2458–2,700 MJ t−1) among the nine rice-based cropping systems. The study concluded that based on their availability of the resources, rice–maize + vegetable pea–sorghum + fodder cowpea or rice–cabbage + coriander leaf–sesamum could be the best suitable energy efficient cropping systems for higher system yield and maximizing profit.

This study builds upon existing knowledge to quantify the extent of on-farm yield gaps and identify the most effective climate-resilient strategies (CRSs) to bridge them. By addressing these objectives, the study seeks to enhance wheat yield and resilience in the adverse climatic conditions. Productivity and adoption of CRSs are key indicators to monitor the progress toward more resilient production systems. Total eight project hubs were identified across Bihar (Banka, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Khagaria, Madhubani, Munger, Nalanda, and Nawada) for farmers-field experiment-cum-demonstration during rabi season (2019–2020). Three climate-resilient technologies (i) zero tillage (ZT), (ii) raised bed (RB), and (iii) happy seeder (HS) were evaluated across varying planting times from November 13 to December 31. Field experiments-cum-demonstrations conducted across 566 hectares involving 980 farmers in eight districts of Bihar revealed that early wheat planting (13–30 November) significantly enhanced grain productivity (up to 4.96 t/ha) and profitability (net returns up to $863/ha, B:C ratio 1.92), while delayed sowing (post–mid-December) led to yield reductions of up to 57%. Among crop establishment methods, happy seeder (HS) and zero tillage (ZT) consistently outperformed conventional farmer-managed practices, achieving 12.6–14.5% higher net returns and benefit-cost ratios up to 2.02, underscoring the agronomic and economic advantages of timely planting and resource-conserving technologies. The study concludes that sowing wheat in the second week of November using the Happy Seeder (HS) significantly boosts productivity and profitability. These results offer robust evidence to refine regional planting advisories and promote climate-resilient practices for enhancing wheat adaptation across subtropical India.

How effective are climate resilient agricultural technologies (CRATs) in overcoming barriers faced in agri-food system by farmers across the different agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of Bihar? This study examines the barriers that hinder farmers in Bihar from adopting CRATs amidst the growing impacts of climate change on global agri-food systems. It focuses on key CRATs, including zero tillage/minimum tillage (ZT/MT), laser land leveling (LLL), climate-resilient variety selection (CRVS), crop diversification (CD), site-specific nutrient management (SSNM), crop calendar and timely sowing (CCTS), and direct-seeded rice (DSR), and investigates the factors affecting their adoption. Using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and logistic regression, key factors that influence the adoption of CRATs were identified. Descriptive statistics showed moderate levels of soil health awareness (mean value = 2.70) and climate change awareness (mean value = 2.63). Correlation analysis found that social factors like training received had a positive correlation with the adoption of DSR (correlation coefficient = 0.410). Logistic regression results highlighted that technology awareness significantly influences the adoption of DSR (coefficient = 0.400, p = 0.253), while initial investment costs are major barriers for ZT/MT and LLL (coefficient = 0.400, p = 0.267). Results highlight the need to improve awareness through educational programs, provide technical support, and offer financial incentives to overcome the various barriers farmers faced. Targeted efforts in these areas can significantly increase the adoption of the CRATs, leading to more resilient and sustainable farming systems. Study supports not only the sustainable agricultural development but also align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of synthetic mycotoxin binder mycotoxin binder and herbal mixture in broiler chicken. A total of 200 day-old chicks were procured and randomly allotted using completely randomised design (CRD) to 4 treatment groups (T1-T4) with 5 replicates each having 10 chicks per replicates. All the experimental birds were reared for 35 days following standard and uniform manage mental conditions. Four iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric experimental diets for prestarter (0-7 days), starter (8-21 days) and finisher (22-35 days) were formulated following BIS (2007). T1 group served as control fed with basal diet, experimental diet of T2 group birds contained Aflatoxin B1 at 70 ppb, T3 group birds were fed with Aflatoxin B1 at 70 ppb with synthetic mycotoxin binders at 1kg/ton of feed and T4 groups were fed with Aflatoxin B1 at 70 ppb each with herbal mixer at 1kg/ ton of feed. Aflatoxin at 70 ppb (T2) significantly (P<0.05) depressed growth performance, and had adverse effect on hematobiochemical parameters, immunological parameters (antibody titre against the NDV) and nutrient retention. Nutrient retention improved significantly (P<0.05) in T4 as compared to T2 and T3. Growth performance in terms of BWG, FI and FCR improved (P<0.05) due to addition of synthetic mycotoxin binder mycotoxin binder (T3) and herbal mixers (T4), however, response of synthetic mycotoxin binder binders was better as compared to herbal mixers. Haematological parameters (Hb, PCV, and TEC) were higher in T3 as compared to T2 and T4, but hematobiochemical parameters like ALT and AST activity significantly (P<0.05) reduced in T4 as compared to T3. Antibody titre against the NDV was lower in case of herbal mixture in comparison to synthetic mycotoxin binder. It was concluded that supplementation of synthetic mycotoxin binder and herbal mixtures reduced the severity of the aflatoxin B1 toxicity and improved the growth performance, nutrient retention, haematobiochemical parameters and immunity in broiler chicken.

Sulfur (S) is a secondary plant nutrient that has been largely neglected in agricultural practices due to its incidental occurrence in soils through rainfall, volcanic emissions, and the application of fertilizers. Despite this, the availability of sulfur to plants is significantly influenced by its adsorption in soil and the potential for leaching to deeper soil layers. Within the soil-plant system, sulfur undergoes key biogeochemical processes, such as mineralization, immobilization, and oxidation, which regulate its balance through various pathways including atmospheric deposition, leaching, gas emissions, and adsorption. The sorption characteristics of the soil play a critical role in determining sulfur availability under different agro-climatic conditions. A five-year field experiment was conducted to explore the impact of different crop establishment methods and maize-based cropping systems on the dynamics of sulfur. The experiment employed a split-plot design with three main treatments: zero tillage, permanent raised beds, and conventional tillage, alongside six different cropping systems. Adsorption-desorption experiments were conducted using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Results showed that the adsorption of sulfur increased gradually up to 100 mg S kg-1, beyond which it declined. Zero tillage and the soybean-maize cropping system demonstrated superior adsorption characteristics compared to other treatments, with Langmuir isotherms providing a better fit. Furthermore, desorption of sulfur was greater in these treatments, suggesting improved sulfur availability. Overall, the study highlights that adopting zero tillage and incorporating legumes in maize-based cropping systems enhances sulfur retention and availability in soils over time.

A long-term field experiment was carried out to evaluate the impact of long-term (40 years) different integrated nutrient management strategies on crop growth attributes, productivity and economic profitability of wheat within a rice-wheat cropping system. The study comprised 11 treatment combinations and replicated three times. Organic nutrient sources, including farmyard manure, wheat straw and green manure usingSesbaniaaculeata, were incorporated. The findings demonstrated that applying 50 % of the Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) combined with 50 % nitrogen (N) from FYM during rice cultivation, followed by 100 % RDF in wheat (T6), significantly improved wheat grain yield (4435 kg/ha) and yield-related parameters compared to other treatments. Growth attributes, such as plant height, leaf area index, number of tillers per square meter, number of earheads per square meter, grains per earhead, earheadlength and 1000-grain weight, showed substantial variation under different nutrient management practices. The treatment T6 exhibited the superior performance in terms of plant height and yield attributes at various growth stages. Furthermore, T6 had recorded the highest net returns and benefit-cost (B:C) ratio, indicating a greater economic efficiency. Thus, the present study concludes that replacing 50 % of inorganic nitrogen with organic sources such as FYM, wheat straw/green manure in rice, coupled with 100 % RDF in wheat, enhances crop productivity and profitability and quality of wheat in long-term rice-wheat cropping system of Indo-Gangetic Plains and similar agroecological regions worldwide.

Silvopasture is a farming practice involving the integration of tree and livestock grazing operations on the same land. Intensive management of these systems enables them to generate short and long-term economic returns from forest products and forage. Silvopastoral systems have been considered to increase efficiency while reducing the environmental burden and extreme ranching/animal husbandry systems. Over the past few years, there has been a rapid accumulation of scientific evidence supporting the role of silvopasture in meeting the fundamental needs of not only humans but also the animal population in the era of climate change. In South Asian countries like India, the silvopastoral system can be a viable option to provide balanced food as well as shelter for the livestock. This review aims to provide a critical and systematic evaluation of the scientific literature about the effect of different silvopasture systems on the fodder production, environment and performance of livestock, especially in the context of South Asia. We conducted a search using PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar to identify the key literature on the theme. A total of 98 manuscripts underwent a four-step PRISMA appraisal process, resulting in the final selection. This process resulted in a final sample of 56 articles, which were used to explore the potential for long-term improvement in fodder quality through expanding the silvopastoral system. One of the key conclusions is that by improving the social acceptability of these silvopastoral systems and also addresssustainability can be further enhanced.

The nutrient availability in soil system governs an important role in all living species on the earth through food cycle. Inorganic available nutrients influence the growth and development as well as influence the nutrient state in plant acquisition. Agroforestry system (AFS) as an alternative practice of agriculture involves the incorporation of agricultural crop or animal use with trees on arable land use system for sustaining the soil health and productivity. Soil nutrient dynamic is defined as the way of taking up nutrient, retention, transformation (quantity and forms) and cycle over the distance and time due to continuous different bio-chemical processes in agroecosystem. The amount of nutrient released during the decomposition of litter or residue material of agroforestry subsequently satisfies the nutrient need of the plant, while further away the soil releases nutrient losses through various kinds of processes, i.e. erosion, heavy runoff, leaching and gaseous losses, removal by crop, as well as nutrient fixation, etc. The agroforestry system influenced different nutrient cycles of our ecosystem. Agroforestry system relative importance for storage of nutrient as well as increased the SOM (sustain of active SOM) levels in the soil. The agroforestry system may decrease the losses of N through leaching and increase the C immobilization, enhance the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and drastically improve the level of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. This chapter examines the in situ nutrient dynamics of carbon and essential primary nutrients with its cycle in the agroforestry system (AFS).

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2020–21 at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, to study the effect leaf-colour chart (LCC) and SPAD meter on productivity of irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment, having 8 treatments, was laid out in a randomized block design. The first 4 treatments (T1 to T4 ) were LCC-based, T5 and T6 were the SPAD meter-based management practices and T7 was considered as fixed-time N management (FTNM) and T8 was kept as control where no N was applied. The SPADbased treatments T5 and T6 received 140 kg N/ha which was higher than all the other N management treatments resulted 13% higher ears/m2 and 18% higher grains/ear over the LCC-based N-management treatments. Among the LCC-based practice, treatment T4 recorded significantly highest grain yield (4.01 t/ha) but was lower (10.4%) than that of grain yield achieved in T5 treatment. The LCC-based treatments T1 to T3 though received a lower dose of N fertilizer (19%; average of T1 to T3 ) compared to the FTNM (T7 ), returns maintained the similar yield components with the FTNM. Therefore, use of farmers’ friendly and cost-effective tool LCC is very useful which saved the N fertilizer (19%) without hampering the yield components. Thus, LCC and SPAD may be effective tool for efficient need-based fertilizer N management using LCC and SPAD meter in improving crop growth for higher productivity in rational manner.

A long-term field experiment was conducted to study the effects of different combinations of integrated nutrient management (INM) on carbon sequestration and wheat yield in a rice-wheat cropping system. The experiment consisted of 11 treatments that were replicated three times. The organic manures used in the study included farmyard manure (FYM), wheat straw (WS), and green manure (GM) with Sesbania aculeata . The results of the experiment revealed that the application of 50% of the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) along with 50% nitrogen (N) through FYM during rice cultivation, and RDF during wheat cultivation, led to a significant increase in soil organic carbon (SOC). Specifically, the SOC content was enhanced by 46.4% (18.29 Mg ha -1 ) compared to RDF in rice and wheat, resulting in a C sequestration rate of 0.22 Mg ha -1 year -1 . These increases were higher in treatments that combined organic and inorganic inputs. Additionally, the application of 50% RDF and substituting 50% of the nitrogen with FYM during wheat cultivation resulted in a 24.7% increase in grain yield compared to RDF in rice and wheat. The INM treatments, showed significantly ( p ≤ 0.05) higher agronomic efficiency (AE) of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), partial factor productivity (PFP) of N, P and K, and carbon pool index (CPI) compared to the application of inorganic fertilizers at the recommended dose. Moreover, the INM treatments also exhibited lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity. Application of neither chemical fertilizers nor organic manure (T 1 ) resulted in maximum GHG emission intensity (328.1 kg CO 2 eq Mg −1 yield). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the combined use of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures significantly increased crop yield and soil organic carbon sequestration while reducing GHG emissions in a rice-wheat cropping system in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (EIGP) of India.

The purpose of India’s Prime Minister’s Digital India initiative was to increase the technological literacy and connect rural areas to high-speed Internet networks, which was introduced on July 1st, 2015. Digital Infrastructure as a Utility to Every Citizen, Governance & Services on Demand, and Digital Empowerment of Citizens are the three key areas that make up the vision of the Digital India Programme, which seeks inclusive growth in the areas of electronic services, products, manufacturing, and job opportunities etc. The present investigation was carried out to discover the challenges faced by the Indian farmers during adopting the digital Extension and primary data were gathered in 2019-20. In Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh, where the problems in using digital tools were found to exist with the farmers. It was recorded on the basis of results of problem faced index (PFI) that Inadequate government digital service centers and facilities ranked first followed by Quality of Information, Lack of awareness towards benefits of ICT in Agriculture, Lack of knowledge on e-Agriculture, Lack of Training, Expensive to use, Inadequate ICT Experts, Lower Internet Speed and Apathy towards new were ranked second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

Quinoa is a food grain crop that has gained popularity in recent years due to its high nutrient content, phytochemical qualities, and health advantages. Quinoa grain has a high concentration of amino acids, fiber, minerals, vitamins, saponins, and phenolics that can help alleviate various biological diseases in the human body. It contains a variety of biological components and nutraceutical compounds that promote human health. It is an extremely nutritious, gluten-free wonder grain and has the potential to be utilized as biomedicine owing to the existence of functional chemicals that may aid in the prevention of various chronic illnesses. Quinoa has gained popularity in recent years due to its excellent nutritional content and as a component in gluten-free food. It could help to guide the population toward better health. Due to its higher nutritional and health benefits compared to traditional cereal grains, including its high protein concentration, tocopherols, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, low glycemic index, and gluten-free status, it is a promising grain for human consumption and nutrition around the world. The present review paper has been undertaken to provide an overview of the nutrient composition and valuable nutraceutical properties of quinoa.

Global awareness of climate change issues, particularly changes in air temperature, has increased dramatically over the last half a century. Concerns regarding ecosystem sustainability and human existence on Earth arise due to population expansion, rising surface temperatures and increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Agriculture accounts for approximately 18% of the total GHG emissions, largely in the form of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. As a result, limiting GHG emissions is critical to alleviating the consequences of climate change, which is attainable if the concept of carbon footprint is understood. Cereal production produces more GHG emissions than other farming methods, including vegetables and fruits. 'Carbon footprint' is a popular term in agriculture and environmental research due to its involvement in environmental impact assessments and global climate change. GHG emissions are influenced by changes in land use, soil type and agricultural management approaches. Therefore, it is important to consider how agricultural management practices, particularly those involving the soil and related systems, affect the relationships between photosynthesis and GHG emissions. This study deals with the concept of carbon footprint in agriculture and various mitigation measures for its management.

Precise adjustment of timing and dosage of fertilizer nitrogen (N) under real-time nitrogen management (RTNM) is crucial to maximize benefits. The study aimed to assess and recommend the best combination of threshold SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) and top dressing N rate for lowland flooded rice, amended with farmyard manure 5 t ha−1, to maximize yield, N use efficiency, and economic gains. In optimization trial, four SCMR-based N scheduling (SCMR34, SCMR36, SCMR38, SCMR40), each with three top dressing N rates (15, 20, 25 kg N ha−1) as RTNM treatments, were evaluated for crop growth and yield, nutrient use efficiency, simulated N2O emission, and economics, comparing with fixed-time N management (FTNM) (100 kg N ha−1, 4 splits). Subsequently, the best-fit SCMR treatment was validated across seven rice cultivars. Top dressing of 20 kg N ha−1 at ≤ SCMR 38 (SCMR38N20) led to a higher yield (+ 8

The major issue in modern agriculture is long-term sustainability. Nutrient management by integrating organic manures and inorganic fertilizers may play a vital role in improving and sustaining crop productivity. A long-term field experiment (since 1984) comprising 11 treatments with different combinations of inorganic and organic fertilizers such as farm yard manure (FYM), wheat cut straw (WCS) and Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata L.) as green manure (GM) was conducted to evaluate their effects on crop yield, nutrient accumulation and soil fertility status under a rice - wheat cropping system. The maximum grain yield of wheat was recorded in T-6, i.e. 50% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) + 50% nitrogen through FYM in rice and 100% RDF in wheat (4291 kg ha(-1)) as compared to chemically fertilized plots T-5, i.e. 100% RDF in both rice and wheat (3441 kg ha(-1)). The application of organic manures in combination with chemical fertilizers reduced soil pH and bulk density from 7.40 to 7.23 and 1.49 to 1.37 g cm(-3), respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC), available soil nutrients and nutrient accumulation by crop were higher in integrated nutrient management-treated plots as compared to control. A positive and significant correlation was observed between SOC and available soil nitrogen (r = 0.987), phosphorus (r = 0.913) and potassium (r = 0.921). The results clearly suggest that integrated use of chemical fertilizers and organic manures on a long-term basis improves soil fertility and crop productivity with the potential to enhance soil sustainability

The concern to increase the production along with maintenance of environmental sustainability is increasing day by day. A long-term field experiment (since 1984) comprising of eleven treatments with different combinations of inorganic and organic fertilizers such as farm yard manure (FYM), wheat straw and Sesbania aculeata as green manure (GM) was conducted during the rabi season of 2020-21 at research farm of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur to assess the impact of variable integrated nutrient management (INM) in rice (Oryza sativa) and inorganic nutrient management in wheat on leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and dry biomass of wheat (Triticum aestivum). The results revealed that maximum LAI (0.54, 2.34, 3.05 and 2.43), dry biomass (104.4, 312.5, 663.1, 858.5 and 967.2 g m-2) and CGR (6.94, 11.68 and 6.51 g m-2 day-1)at different intervals were found with application of 50% recommended dose through fertilizers (RDF) in rice and 50% inorganic N (nitrogen) by FYM followed by 100% RDF in wheat. In case of NAR, during 30-60 DAS it was found highest (6.80 g m-2 day-1) with 50% RDF in rice and 100% RDF in wheat but at 60-90 DAS (4.36 g m-2 day-1) and 90-120 DAS (3.06 g m-2 day-1) it was maximum with application of 50% RDF and 50% N through FYM in rice and 100% RDF in wheat. Therefore, application of 50% RDF in rice and substitution of 50% inorganic N by FYM followed by 100% RDF in wheat can improve growth of wheat in long term rice-wheat cropping system with reduced environmental hazard.