Sustainability of cereal-based cropping system is important for the livelihood and food security in semi-arid regions. The present study explores the impact of long-term organic and inorganic nutrients and integrated fertilization practices of soil test crop response (STCR) approach of inductive-cum-targeted yield model on soil physical properties and its correlation with soil organic carbon (OC) under pearl millet-wheat in sandy-loam soils of semiarid north-west regions of India. Results showed that OC in the soils significantly increased in farm yard manure (FYM) and integrated treatments up to a maximum of 135% and 148%, respectively, in a period of 8 years over the control in surface soils (0-15 cm). The increase in OC significantly increased the infiltration rate (IR), hydraulic conductivity (HC), soil water retention at all suctions, water stable aggregates (WSA) (> 0.25 mm) and mean weight diameter of the soil aggregates, while decreased the bulk density (BD) and penetration resistance (PR) both at surface and subsurface soil layers. Soil OC also showed a negative correlation with BD (r = -0.955) and PR (r = -0.820). The hydraulic properties of the soil, viz., soil water retention, showed a high positive correlation with field capacity (r = 0.973), 0.922 for permanent wilting point (r = 0.922), HC (r = 0.938), IR (r = 0.973), and WSA (r = 0.979) with OC. Thus, long-term application of organic material in conjunction with NP improved soil physical health, provided better environment to grow crops through improved nutrient concentration and its translocation that ultimately helps to achieve yield target through STCR (Soil Test Crop Response) approach of inductive-cum-targeted yield model.

The experiment was carried out during winter (rabi) season of 2016–17 and 2017–18 with 18 treatments comprising of inorganic fertilizers, biofertilizers and manures to compare the coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) seed quality. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed that the co-inoculation of Azotobacter and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) along with recommended dose of nitrogen through vermicompost (T5) recorded significantly higher test weight, standard germination, seedling length, seedling dry weight, vigour index-I, vigour index-II, dehydrogenase activity, superoxidase dismutase, field emergence index and seedling establishment. The electrical conductivity was also recorded less in this treatment. The same treatment recorded significantly higher standard germination (31.50%), seedling length (14.09 cm), seedling dry weight (1.88 mg), vigour index-I (444), vigour index-II (59.25) and minimum electrical conductivity (696.92 μ S cm-1 g-1) after accelerated ageing of seed for 120 h at 40±1°C at 100% relative humidity. Suitable combination of organic manures and biofertilizers can be used to produce good quality coriander sees.