Current Research Progress in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 1

The present study aimed to determine the effect of nitrogen treatment on (i) some agronomical parameters such as fresh and dry matter, root weight, leaf size and head diameter. (ii) physiological parameters: Chlorophyll fluorescence, sugar and nitrate content and its distribution in leaves. The effect of nitrogen fertilizer level on growth and nitrate accumulation was studied in six lettuce cultivars (Lactuca sativa L.): ‘Batavia rouge’, ‘Vitalia’, ‘Great Laks’, ‘Type Beurre’, ‘Romaine’ and ‘Romaine LO3’. Three nitrogen levels: 0, 120 and 240 Kg.ha-1 was applied. Agronomical (leaf weight, root weight, dry matter, head diameter) and physiological (nitrate concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence, and sugar content) characteristics were assessed as the plants grew. For the majority of agronomical and physiological indices, the results indicated significant variations between cultivars and nitrogen treatment. The nitrogen treatment affects head weight and nitrate concentration in all cultivars; the cvs ‘Great Laks’ and ‘Type beurre’ accumulated respectively the less and high nitrate concentration. The highest nitrate concentration was recorded in external leaves whereas the lowest concentration was recorded in the central leaves for all cultivars. Furthermore, nitrate distribution and chlorophyll fluorescence on the leaves are closely related. This study revealed also a correlation between root nitrate concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence and sugar content for all cultivars. This correlation depended on the nitrogen fertilization level and the cultivar used. More studies are required for the comprehension of the mechanisms of nitrate accumulation in leafy vegetables especially for the potential role of roots and its relationship with shoots.

In the face of escalating global climate change, innovative carbon sequestration practices hold promise for mitigating detrimental environmental impacts. This paper explores various strategies to enhance carbon sequestration through sugarcane cultivation, highlighting the crop's potential as a significant carbon sink. We delve into the use of advanced breeding technologies, agronomic practices, soil management, and the conversion of sugarcane biomass into bioenergy and its by-products as tools for optimizing carbon storage. The study also evaluates the beneficial effects of these practices on overall crop productivity, soil health, and biodiversity. An exploration of the socioeconomic impacts of implementing these strategies, including rural development and job creation, is provided. The paper underscores the necessity of policy support, scientific research, and technological advancement to facilitate the effective implementation of these carbon sequestration strategies in sugarcane cultivation, thereby contributing to the broader climate change mitigation efforts. Our findings suggest that with a strategic approach, sugarcane cultivation can play a pivotal role in mitigating the impacts of climate change through enhanced carbon sequestration.

Climate change, primarily driven by anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, presents a pervasive and daunting global challenge. Among the myriad of responses necessary to mitigate its impacts, enhancing carbon sequestration in agricultural systems offers a substantial, yet underexplored opportunity. This study focuses on strategies to enhance carbon sequestration through sugarcane cultivation, leveraging its potential as a significant carbon sink. Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a tropical, perennial grass, cultivated in over 100 countries, mainly for sugar and ethanol production. It is recognized as one of the most efficient crops in converting sunlight into chemical energy, making it a key player in the bioenergy sector. Apart from its bioenergy potential, sugarcane cultivation presents an excellent avenue for carbon sequestration, especially in its extensive aboveground biomass and the soil. A broad range of strategies, from advanced breeding technologies and agronomic practices to soil management and biomass utilization, can be employed to optimize carbon storage in sugarcane cultivation. These practices have the potential to create a positive impact on crop productivity, soil health and biodiversity, presenting a win-win situation for both the environment and agricultural productivity. Simultaneously, these strategies hold socio-economic benefits, including rural development and job creation, further underscoring their importance. However, realizing these opportunities will require comprehensive policy support, significant research input and technological innovation. This chapter aims to provide an in-depth knowledge of carbon sequestration strategies in sugarcane cultivation and explore how they can contribute to the broader efforts in climate change mitigation. As global communities strive towards a sustainable future, sugarcane cultivation, if strategically managed, can play a pivotal role in enhancing carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change impacts.

This chapter on enhancing carbon sequestration through sugarcane cultivation to mitigate climate change impacts may be broken down into several sections:

1. Introduction: This section introduces the issue of climate change, the role of agriculture in mitigating its impacts and the potential of sugarcane as a carbon sink. It also outlines the aims and objectives of the study.
2. Background and Literature Review: This section provides an overview of existing research related to carbon sequestration in sugarcane cultivation and the current understanding of its potential in climate change mitigation.
3. Sugarcane Cultivation and Carbon Sequestration: This part delves into the basics of sugarcane cultivation and its inherent capacity for carbon sequestration, including a detailed discussion of sugarcane's aboveground biomass and soil as carbon storage areas.
4. Strategies for Enhancing Carbon Sequestration:

• Advanced Breeding Technologies: Discusses genetic improvements and the development of sugarcane varieties that have higher carbon sequestration potential.
• Agronomic Practices: Explores practices like crop rotation, intercropping and precision agriculture that can increase carbon sequestration.
• Soil Management: Discusses strategies such as organic amendments, cover cropping and conservation tillage aimed at improving soil health and increasing soil carbon storage.
• Biomass Utilization: Looks at the conversion of sugarcane residues into bioenergy and other products, which can offset fossil fuel emissions.

1. Socio-economic and Environmental Impacts: This section assesses the broader implications of these strategies on rural development, job creation, crop productivity, soil health and biodiversity.
2. Policy and Research Recommendations: This section outlines the necessary policy support, research initiatives, and technological advancements required for the effective implementation of the discussed strategies.
3. Conclusion: The final section summarizes the findings of the study, reiterates the potential of sugarcane cultivation in enhancing carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change impacts and emphasizes the need for further research and policy action in this area.

The variability present in the population could be useful inheritable components with the aid of genetic parameters such as genotypic variance, phenotypic variance, heritability, genotypic co-efficient of variation and genetic advance which serve as a basis for effective selection. The production of pumpkin in India is mainly used for domestic consumption as a fresh vegetable. Being a source of vitamin A, pumpkin can play an important role in the fight against vitamin A deficiency and it might improve certain functions of the immune system. Thirty diverse landraces of pumpkin comprising from eight districts of Assam viz., four landraces from each district, Sivasager, Dibrugarh, Karbi Anglong, Haflong, Jorhat & Majuli and three landraces from each Lakhimpur and Kokrajhar. The landraces were subjected to analyses of variance and covariance for the estimation of genetic variability parameters and correlation coefficients among the 19 characters. The experiment was carried out during the rabi season of 2017-18 at the Instruction Cum and Research (ICR) Farm of Assam Agricultural University in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. From the analysis of variance, it was recorded that the presence of variation among thirty pumpkin landraces for all characters. The highest genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were recorded for single fruit weight with 51.47 per cent and 54.88 per cent, indicating the presence of greater variability for the trait. The heritability in the broad sense was recorded highest for the petiole length. The GA calculated as per cent of the mean was recorded for single fruit weight (99.44%), followed by yield per plant. In character association five traits namely petiole length (0.294), fruit length (0.273), fruit diameter (0.309), flesh thickness (0.357), and single fruit weight (0.902) were positively correlated with fruit yield per plant out of 18 characters.  The high estimates of heritability were observed for vine length, leaf blade length & breadth, total chlorophyll content, petiole and peduncle length, and days to first flowering. The high genetic advance was observed for single fruit weight and fruit yield per plant, indicating a predominance of additive gene effects and possibilities of effective selection for the improved characters.

The study examined the anti-nutritional factors, amino acid profiles, and chemical characteristics of sandbox seed. Four treatments of the seed flour samples—raw, heated, roasted, and fermented were created using conventional techniques, and their physicochemical composition, amino acid content, and anti-nutritional components were examined. Standard methods were used to extract and characterize the seed oil from the flour samples. The flavonoids (17.50% in raw seed), alkaloids (6.20% in raw), and tannins (5.24% in raw) were the anti-nutrients in the seed flour that were of concern. The anti-nutrients in the sandbox seeds were shown to be more effectively reduced by fermentation and moist cooking, also known as moist heat treatment. Twenty amino acids were found in the seed flour after the amino acid profiles were assessed. Arginine (3.25 g/100 g cooked and 8.05 g/100 g fermented), glutamic acid (6.05 g/100 g cooked and 10.2 g/100 g fermented), and valine (8.03 g/100 g raw and 8.58 g/100 g fermented) were the three main ones implicated. With a chemical score of 44.52%, methionine is the limiting amino acid. The free fatty acid values of the sandbox seeds under evaluation ranged from 3.60% to 6.03%, with no significant variations (P > 0.05) seen in their physicochemical attributes. The samples' peroxide values vary from 2.96% to 44.81%, and their iodine values range from 104.94% to 126.90%. Thus, the study proposed that the anti-nutrients in the sandbox seed might be significantly reduced by using fermentation and/or moist cooking. Hura crepitans has strong physicochemical qualities and significant levels of necessary amino acids; as a result, it can be used in several food industries where protein (amino acids) is crucial.

Creating precise predictive models for estimating corn crop yields accurately is crucial for informed decision-making in sustainable agriculture. While various approaches, including Fuzzy Logic, Association Rules, and Machine Learning, aim to achieve this, some encounter limitations due to the complexity and non-linearity of factor interactions. Although Machine Learning techniques can achieve high precision, incorporating multiple attributes may diminish it. This research focuses on identifying key regional factors affecting corn crop yields in Colombia, situated in the Neotropical zone. Utilizing climatological time series and yield records, a CRISP-DM-based methodology is employed, involving related work review, data cleaning, transformation, relevance evaluation using RReliefF algorithm, and performance verification of influential factors through prediction algorithms. Results reveal that solar radiation, precipitation, vapor pressure, and maximum and minimum temperatures significantly influence yield prediction, with relevance factors of 0.033, 0.032, 0.026, 0.022, and 0.021, respectively. Validating the performance of selected factors, two predictive models are implemented. The first, employing Artificial Neural Networks, yields RMSE of 0.1216 and 0.1403 with subset and all variables, respectively. The second, using Linear Regression, results in RMSE of 0.1417 and 0.1424 with subset and all variables, respectively. These findings underscore the importance of selected features as influential climatic factors in constructing highly accurate predictive models in the Neotropical zone.

The nature of variation in quantitative (phenotypic) traits makes their genetic analysis through the classical Mendelian techniques impossible. Appropriate techniques for their handling were developed by statisticians; these techniques use parameters like mean, variance, covariance, coefficient of variations (CV) etc. Besides, the application of statistics in sampling and data analysis is a very significant and necessary pathway through which proper data after collection can properly be explored. In regards to agriculture especially in evaluating the rice germplasms through univariate and multivariate approaches is challenging and more authentic to apply. In multivariate analysis the system as a whole, having number of variables at a time taking into consideration for their interdependence, relationships etc. In fact, there is a vast area of study in multivariate analysis. However, the main aim of this chapter is to focus on the application of statistical techniques to find the variations among the germplasms and use some of the techniques that can be used in agriculture in clustering the rice germplasm especially to find the variability and superiority of donor for introduction in hybridization and crop improvement programme. Cluster analysis and Principal Component Analysis based on eighteen quantitative agro-morphological traits were studied in fifty-one rice landraces. It was found that in PCA analysis for evaluation of rice landraces, six components with eigen value >1 displayed 75.9% of the variability. Other PCs (7-16) had eigen values less than 1. The contribution of PC1 with eigen value of 3.755 was 23.47% of the total variability. Thus the use of statistical tools and techniques lays a fantastic way of analyzing data for finding the right way of finding the right donor and right trait under demand at mass level.

Aims: The present study highlights the effect of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and PSB inoculation on two sugarcane varieties in different problematic soils and the possibility of saving chemical fertilizer nitrogen and phosphorus.

Methods: A pot culture experiment was conducted under natural conditions in a 6 x 2 x 2 factorial completely randomized design (FCRD) with two replications during the Suru season (January planting) of 2012-13 at Central Sugarcane Research Station, Padegaon, Tal. Phaltan, Dist. Satara (Maharashtra state, India).

The single eye bud sets were inoculated with G. diazotrophicus 10 kg + PSB 1.25 kg in 100 lit water/ha for 30 min before planting and the pots planted with such treated sets received 50% recommended N (125 kg/ha) and 75% recommended P₂O₅ (86.25 kg/ha). The corresponding control pots planted with the untreated bud sets received 100% recommended N (250 kg/ha) and P₂O₅ (115 kg/ha).

Results: The results indicated that the treatment of sugarcane bud sets with G. diazotrophicus 10 kg + PSB 1.25 kg in 100 lit water/ha for 30 min. coupled with 50% recommended N and 75% recommended P significantly improved the growth, yield and quality. The overall performance of the varieties was best in the normal soil (S-6) followed by S-4 (Sodic) and S-1 (Sodic). The inoculation of sugarcane sets showed the best results in normal soil (S-6) closely followed by S-4 (Sodic) and S-1 (Sodic) indicating better performance of inoculation in these problematic soils. The higher population and activity of G. diazotrophicus and PSB was observed at 50% recommended N and 75% recommended P in both the varieties.

Conclusion: The pre-planting bud set treatment in sugarcane with G. diazotrophicus + PSB coupled with 50% recommended N and 75% recommended P significantly improved the growth, yield and quality of cane juice. Bud set treatment showed the best results in normal soil closely followed by sodic soils indicating better performance of inoculants in these problematic soils. The increase in soil nitrogen reserve under sugarcane crop by 50 % of the initial value due to the nitrogen fixation by root-associated diazotrophs helping sustained production of sugarcane.

Oilseeds are high-energy crops, thus they require a lot of major, secondary, and micronutrients. The nutrient removal rate varies greatly depending on crop productivity and soil fertility. The sowing date is one of the most essential parameters that influence groundnut growth and yield. Groundnut is a crop that needs precise environmental conditions to grow and develop properly, and its reaction to sowing dates might vary depending on the local climate, soil type, and other factors. Growing plants in their natural habitat with a normal temperature range when exposed to high temperatures without acclimation can cause serious damage to the plant, so improving thermotolerance acquisition ability is critical for plants. Improvement in the delayed breakdown of organic manure and increased soil biological activity could explain the improvement in the available nutrient status of the soil with the introduction of vermicompost alone or in combination with chemical fertilizer.

Pearl millet represents the first staple food grain and constitutes the bedrock of food security in Niger where it is alternatively used as processed foods and feed for animals and poultry. With a population growth faster than food progress and limitation of favorable lands, increased grain yield is a high priority in breeding programs to provide food security. Cultivars with high and stable yield are thus an integral part of meeting this goal and variety improvement remains a goal of both national and international agencies. Phenotypic selection of parents for hybridization based on their performance per se alone may not always be a viable procedure but parents shall be selected on the basis of their combining ability. For the reason, heterosis and combining ability of sixteen hybrids developed from eight varieties belonging to two putative heterotic groups were studied. Entries were tested in two locations during two years in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates regardless the location and the year. Data on grain yield and productivity related traits were recorded. Eight hybrids outyielded the check Zatib which in turn performed better than the best parent Souna-3. All the eight hybrids were more stable than all of the parents. Parents HKB, Ankoutess, and Gamoji had the best GCA for grain yield. The cross Gamoji x HKB showed the highest SCA and the best mid-parent heterosis for grain yield resulted from the two parents with high and positive GCA. Ex-Borno, H80-10Gr, Moro, and HKP-GMS had negative GCA for grain yield, but the hybrids Ex-Borno x H80-10Gr and Moro x HKP-GMS showed high and positive SCA for this trait. Increased grain yield was found to be positively and highly correlated with peduncle girth while hybrids showed more phenotypic uniformity than their parents. Mean squares for GCA were significant for most of the traits underlining the importance of additive gene effects. The ratio \(\sigma\)2 gca / \(\sigma\)2 sca for grain yield was less than one indicating the prevalence of non-additive gene effects in the yield control. There were G x E interactions suggesting the necessity of further testing of the germplasm.

The present study aimed to determine the effect of integrated nutrient management during basal and vegetative growth stages on crop growth, yield attributing characters, pod yield, Seed quality and storability of groundnut. Sustainable yield in groundnut can be achieved through the integrated use of nutrients from organic and inorganic sources to improve the nutrient supply system as well as various soil properties. The application of gypsum can reduce dispersion and promote flocculation of soils. Flocculation is a necessary condition for the formation and stabilization of soil structure. A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif, 2013-14 to assess the effect of integrated nutrient management practices on the crop growth, yield attributes, seed yield and quality characteristics of groundnut variety TAG 24. The soil of the experimental plot was acidic, with a loamy sand texture, with low in available N, P and S and medium in boron. The trial was conducted in a split-plot design with three replications, where the four main plot treatments included the soil application of FYM @ 7.5 t/ha, RDNPK @ 20:40:40 kg/ha and Borax @ 15 kg/ha applied singly or in combination. The sub-plot treatments comprised absolute control, urea 2% spray at 30 days after sowing, urea 2% spray at 30 and 60 days after sowing and application of gypsum @ 300 kg/ha as topdressing at 20 days after sowing. Parameters like plant height, days to 50% flowering and days to maturity were not influenced by the various treatments of nutrient management through both basal and application at vegetative growth stage. The combined application of FYM + RDNPK+ Borax showed the highest mature pods/plant, pod weight, seeds/pod, and test weight resulting in maximum pod yield/plant and yield/ha with 24.5 and 13.8% increase over RDNPK, respectively. Comparing this treatment to FYM and RDNPK, there was a considerable increase in both the proportion of bold seeds and the shelling %. Top-dressing with gypsum also showed a similar trend in nutrition throughout the vegetative stage for the aforementioned characters. Additionally, as demonstrated by the accelerated ageing test of the seeds, these two treatments demonstrated improved seed quality characteristics such as germination %, field emergence, index of speed of germination, vigor index, and storability. Hence, integrated application of FYM 7.5 t/ha + RDNPK @ 20:40:40 kg/ha + Borax @ 15 kg/ha as basal during sowing and also application of gypsum @ 300 kg/ha as topdressing during vegetative growth stage may be useful for maximization of seed yield, quality and storability.

A study was conducted on the Biodiversity of Cyanobacteria in the Rice Fields of the Saran district in Bihar, India. Cyanobacteria is the unique component of the microbial population of the rice fields which significantly enhances the nitrogen status of the field by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. In the district, at the onset of monsoon, the said rice field remains under water logged conditions, which favors the rice crop. Water logged conditions, on the other hand, favours the growth of Cyanobacteria. A total of 16 different Cyanobacteria were recorded from rice fields the significantly most common species are filamentous cyanobacterial strains identified from soil samples and water samples have been found to occur throughout every year of monsoon. The recorded cyanobacteria species were Osillatoria Formosa, O. obscure, Anabaena doliolum, A. fertillisima, A. variabilis, Aulosira fertilissima, Cylindrospermum majus, C. musicola, Nostoc commune, N. linckia, N. muscorum, Plectonema notatum, Scytonema fertsmuscorum, Plectonema notatum, Scytonema fertschii, Rivularia aquatic, Gloeotrichia indica, and G. natans.