In the field, it is observed that molybdenum containing fuel economy engine oils lose their friction reduction capabilities over extended periods of use. In Sequence VI engine tests, an aging stage is included in which oil is aged within the engine before evaluation of fuel economy. The efficacy of friction modifiers containing oils is currently estimated in a laboratory on a linear reciprocating friction tester. This study deals with a laboratory study to predict the effect of aging on the long-term fuel economy of friction modifiers containing engine oils based on the retention of its coefficient of friction values. The aging of the oil sample in the laboratory was achieved through an oxidation test. Aging in the field was carried out in a field trial. The aged samples were evaluated on the friction tester to determine the coefficient of friction and the wear scar diameter. Three friction modifiers containing oils were evaluated in the field. The study shows that the aging effect can be predicted in laboratory-scale bench tests and that the results correlate well with field performance.

This research work presented here is a comprehensive study on additive–additive interaction with respect to their anti-wear, anti-friction, and extreme pressure characteristics when one or more additives are used in combination in a lubricant formulation. Two tribological equipment, viz., four-ball tester and SRV tester were used to assess the performance of different additive chemistries, which are typically used in formulating neat cutting oils. The following additive chemistries were utilized for this study: natural ester, sulfurized ester, chlorinated paraffin, phosphate ester, and sulfurized olefin. Three different dosages of these chemistries were initially mixed with a mineral-based oil and subsequently evaluated for their tribological performance. The most effective additive dosage (in percentage) from individual additive chemistry was selected for further investigation of the combination of two additives. Tribological testing of formulations involved the measurement of wear scar diameter, coefficient of friction at different test conditions, and weld load. Several combinations of additives in the experiments yielded remarkably and enhanced tribological performance indicating synergism, while antagonistic effects of some combinations were observed.

An experiment on impact of hydrogel on wheat (Triticum aestivium L.) in sandy soils under limited irrigation conditions was conducted through on farm trials on farmers field in Bhiwani district of Haryana during 2013-14 and 2014-15. In Bhiwani, wheat was grown on an area of about one lakh ha during rabi season. Sixty per cent soils of the district are sandy in texture with poor water retention capacity. The trial consisted of three treatments viz., normal irrigation (six irrigations), limited irrigations (four) and hydrogel application with limited irrigations (four). Pusa hydrogel @ 2.5 kg ha−1 was applied during the experiment. Hydrogel with limited irrigations (four) fetched higher average grain yield (4980 kg ha−1) and net returns (Rs. 39995 ha−1) than normal irrigations (4730 kg ha−1 and Rs. 36680 ha−1) and was followed by limited irrigations (4530 kg ha−1 and Rs. 32600 ha−1). The use of hydrogel resulted into saving of two irrigations as compared to normal irrigations under sandy soil conditions.

The study was carried out at farmer’s field to evaluate the performance of agricultural crops under Ailanthus excelsa based agroforestry system during Rabi season 2014-15. A significant yield reduction in potato, onion and wheat was reported under a 2 year old mahaneem based agroforestry system in comparison to the sole cropping system. Maximum yield was observed in onion (18750 kg ha-1), followed by potato (15000 kg ha-1) under agroforestry based system during the study period. However, the maximum yield reduction under the agroforestry based system as compared to the sole cropping (devoid of trees) system was reported in potato (33.3%), followed by onion (21.05%) and wheat (15.0%). Whereas, among all the crops in present study, the maximum net return was obtained in wheat crop (Rs. 7525/ha) followed by onion i.e. Rs. 6515/ha during the study period which shows the efficiency of the system.

A field experiment was conducted at research farm of Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, Bhagalpur during rabi season of 2016-17 to find out the effect of tillage, sowing time and irrigation on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.).The experiment comprised of two tillage methods viz. conventional tillage (CT) and zero tillage (ZT) in main plot, two sowing dates- 30th October and 10th November as sub-plot and three irrigation levels (I2 - 2 irrigations at six-leaf stage and tasseling, I4 - 4 irrigations at four-leaf stage, ten leaf stage, tasseling and milking and I6 - 6 irrigations at four-leaf stage, eight leaf stage, ten leaf stage, tasseling, milking and dough stage) as sub-sub plot treatment. The results indicated that the growth and productivity of rabi maize is significantly influenced by management practices. However, maximum grain yield (11.1 t ha-1) was recorded in zero tillage system with six irrigation. Delay in sowing of rabi maize reduced the grain yield considerably at a rate of 121 kg/ha/day. With increasing resource as well as crop management constraints, adoption of zero tillage along with residue retention and optimum water use has the potential of improving the growth and crop productivity of maize.

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2016-17at Research farm of Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, to evaluate the effect of tillage, sowing time and irrigation levels on nutrient uptake and yield of maize (Zea mays L.).The experiment comprised of two tillage methods viz. conventional tillage (CT) and zero tillage (ZT) in main plot, two sowing dates- 30th October and 10th November as sub-plot and three irrigation levels (I2 - 2 irrigations at six-leaf stage and tasseling, I4 - 4 irrigations at four-leaf stage, ten leaf stage, tasseling and milking and I6 - 6 irrigations at four-leaf stage, eight leaf stage, ten leaf stage, tasseling, milking and dough stage) as sub-sub plot treatment. The results indicated that the nutrient dynamics and productivity of rabi maize is significantly influenced by management practices. The higher nutrient content was recorded in CT maize stover and ZT maize grain and with 4 irrigations. However, maximum nutrient uptake and grain yield (11.1 t ha-1) was recorded in ZT system with six irrigation. Delay in sowing of rabi maize reduced the grain yield considerably at a rate of 121 kg/ha/day. With increasing resource as well as crop management constraints, adoption of ZT along with residue retention and optimum water use has the potential of improving the nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity.