Although carrot productivity is influenced by irrigation scheduling and planting techniques, however their interactive effects on soil properties and consequent crop performance in hilly agro-ecosystem remain insufficiently explored. It was hypothesised that optimised irrigation levels, combined with an appropriate sowing method would significantly improve soil nutrient availability, carrot yield and water productivity. A field experiment was carried out for two consecutive years (2021–22 and 2022–23) using a factorial Randomised Block Design with two sowing methods, Flat-bed (S1) and Ridge (S2) and four irrigation regimes based on irrigation water (IW)/cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) ratios of 0.6 (I1), 0.8 (I2), 1.0 (I3) and 1.2 (I4). Ridge sowing (S2) consistently outperformed over flat-bed sowing (S1) with respect to nutrient availability, yield and water productivity. The highest carrot yield (34.2 t/ha) was recorded under the combination of ridge sowing and the highest irrigation level (S2I4). Moderate irrigation level provides the balance between yield and water use, resulting in higher total water productivity, whereas the highest irrigation level (I4) improved crop water productivity and soil nutrient dynamics although it was less efficient in crop production per unit water applied. The findings demonstrate that ridge sowing, in combination with optimised irrigation regimes (I3), offer a practical strategy to enhance soil health and resource use efficiency while sustaining the carrot productivity hilly region. These findings offer a practical guidance for farmer and planners seeking to improve water management and crop performance in comparable agro-ecological environment.

The objective of this study was to develop calibration equations for a rising plate metrer (RPM) to estimate herbage mass in irrigated ryegrass/white clover (RGWC) swards with varying proportions of plantain. A 32-ha area, divided into 0.3-ha paddocks, was randomly allocated to three treatments sown with increasing plantain seeding rates: (i) RGWC with no plantain, (ii) RGWC + 3 kg/ha and (iii) RGWC + 6 kg kg/ha. Over two production years (2021/22 and 2022/23), 1138 quadrat cuts and 228 botanical samples were collected. Data were grouped by season (late-winter, spring, summer and autumn) across treatments and years. A multivariate linear regression model incorporating compressed sward height, plantain % in sward DM and season explained 73.5% of the variation in herbage mass (R2 = 0.735; P < 0.001). Compressed sward height was positively associated with herbage mass (estimate ± SE; 145 ± 6.2 kg DM/ha per RPM unit; P < 0.001), while plantain % was negatively associated (−0.45 ± 0.12 kg DM/ha per 1% increase; P < 0.001). Season significantly affected the intercept (P < 0.001), being −128 ± 135.0 (late-winter), 82 ± 104.0 (spring), 251 ± 106.0 (summer) and −81 ± 111.0 (autumn) kg DM/ha. Validation using an independent dataset from the 2023/24 production year showed the model predicted herbage mass with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 350 kg DM/ha. These equations can be integrated into RPM devices to estimate herbage mass in rotationally grazed, irrigated RGWC swards containing plantain, accounting for both plantain content and seasonal variation.

This study evaluated the dynamics of the bacterial community in mixtures of forage cactus and sorghum silage at different proportions, subjected to aerobic exposure periods, without or with faecal contamination. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, with two forage cactus proportions (20 and 80 %), absence or presence of faecal contamination and four aerobic exposure times (0, 6, 12 and 24 h). Fermentation profile, chemical composition, microbial populations and bacterial diversity were evaluated. A higher proportion of forage cactus resulted in increased pH and greater proliferation of enterobacteria, with detection of Escherichia coli after aerobic exposure. In contrast, mixtures containing 20 % forage cactus and 80 % sorghum silage showed greater fermentative stability, characterized by higher lactic acid production, reduced growth of potentially pathogenic microorganisms and lower abundance of undesirable bacterial groups after 24 h of exposure. The combination of 20 % forage cactus and 80 % sorghum silage was more effective in preserving the microbiological and fermentative quality of the mixture during aerobic exposure.

Deficit irrigation can enhance crop water productivity (CWP; yield per water applied) but requires careful management to prevent drought-like responses that limit leaf gas exchange (i.e., water-conservative responses) and compromise yield. Grafted and ungrafted melons (Cucumis melo L.) were evaluated under three irrigation treatments: full irrigation (100 % field capacity; FC) and 70 % or 50 % deficit irrigation, based on water applied to the 100 % FC. Although deficit irrigation accentuated drought stress through the season, plants under moderate deficit irrigation (70 % FC) had similar water potential (Ψ), and only 34 and 14 % lower stomatal conductance (gs) and photosynthetic rate (Pn) than the full irrigation. Under severe deficit irrigation (50 % FC), plants had 28 and 17 % lower predawn and midday Ψ than the full irrigation. The lower plant water status of the 50 % FC resulted in water conservative-responses, and a 65 and 47 % lower gs and Pn than the 100 % FC. Yield of the 100 and 70 % FC treatments were affected by evapotranspiration demands (i.e., irrigation × year interaction), while the 50 % FC had a 40 % lower yield than the full irrigation. Moderate deficit irrigation reduced water applied by 25 % and had either a similar or a 47 % increase in CWP compared to the full irrigation. Overall, grafting improved yield by 14 %, but it was greater under full irrigation and low environmental stress. Overall, melon crop performance was maintained under a constant, moderate deficit irrigation, and this should be considered as an effective water-saving strategy for melons to cope with long-season droughts.

Experimental designs involving factors with a mix of fixed and random levels have been explored by few. These designs are useful when comparing a set of new treatments (fixed levels) to a population of established treatments (random levels). This approach enables partitioning variability and testing of both fixed and random effects, leading to improved estimates and more reliable inference. However, combining analyses of variance from partitioned data poses challenges, including data rearrangement, methodology, and coding complexities. Existing statistical software does not directly support combined analyses for such designs. The current study provides guidelines for conducting combined analysis of variance in linear mixed-effects models where factors have both fixed and random levels. The approach utilizes SAS PROC GLIMMIX and tools from the Comprehensive R Archive Network to compile the combined analysis of variance, followed by multiple comparisons of treatment means. The procedure is demonstrated using treatment structures in a completely randomized design, split-split-plot design, and repeated-measures design. The method can be extended to other experimental designs. This framework addresses a critical gap in existing literature by providing a practical and readily applicable analytical tool that enables integrated analysis across all factor levels within a single linear mixed-model structure, while accounting for pre-history effects associated with prior management practices in complex experimental systems.

Raramuri Criollo (RC) cattle offer substantial sustainability advantages in arid regions. Their adaptation to harsh conditions and ability to adjust forage use according to the season make them efficient in pasture management. Furthermore, their lighter weight reduces soil pressure, and their preference for low-palatability grasses contributes to improved soil health and reduced erosion. These characteristics from RC make them more adaptable to such terrains and conditions than European cattle breeds. Regarding water usage, and compared to European cattle breeds, RC can wander further from water sources, which proves advantageous in the context of climate change. Moreover, their role in fire ecology involves reducing the risk of fires by altering the characteristics of forest fuels and managing fine fuels, which is crucial for minimizing fire hazards in grasslands. The potential use of this breed to produce high-quality meat derived from their grazing behaviour offers an alternative to new consumers’ demands concerning healthy and efficient production options. This narrative review discusses the role of RC in soil health, water sources and meat production. Overall, attributes from RC cattle make these animals a valuable option for mitigating overgrazing and fostering sustainability in arid regions.

Due to the negative impacts of climate change, soil degradation and losses of soil organic carbon (SOC) in arable agricultural ecosystems are gradually increasing worldwide. Therefore, implementing agricultural management practices that increase organic carbon (OC) sequestration in soils with intensive agricultural production is essential for maintaining soil quality (SQ) and enhancing sustainable crop production. Understanding the effects of management practices on SOC stability requires understanding the resulting changes in the SOC fractions (labile or recalcitrant), the OC contents associated with aggregates, and the SOCStocks. In the present study, soil samples were collected from three different depths in the Çarşamba Alluvial Delta Plain, located in Turkey’s semi-humid climate zone, to investigate the long-term effects (>5 years) of six different land use types (LUTs). Our results regarding average values revealed that the labile SOCLC and recalcitrant SOCRC fractions, OC contents associated with aggregates, and SOCStocks changed significantly (p < 0.01) in response to the effects of different LUTs. Compared to pasture land use, the contents of SOCLC and SOCRC were statistically decreased from 5.98 to 3.16 g/kg and from 6.37 to 3.43 g/kg (p < 0.01), respectively, in soils under soybean land use. Also, it was found that both SOC fractions reduced statistically (p < 0.01) with increasing soil depth. This study, which evaluated the long-term effects of different LUTs on SOC, revealed that SOCLC and SOCRC fractions can be successful indicators in assessing the effects of different LUTs and soil depths.

Onion seed productivity, quality, and profitability in Ethiopia are constrained by declining soil fertility and inadequate fertilizer management, particularly due to a historical reliance only on blanket nitrogen-phosphorus-based recommendations for bulb production. Therefore, the study examined the impacts of NPSB fertilizer, vermicompost, and their integrated application on soil fertility, onion seed yield, and quality in Yaya-Gulele, Oromia, Ethiopia. Treatments comprised a factorial combination of four NPSB rates (0, 75, 150, 225 kg/ha) and four vermicompost rates (0, 1.25, 2.5, 3.75 t/ha), arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Seed quality was evaluated under laboratory conditions using a completely randomized design with four replications. The integrated application of NPSB and vermicompost improved key soil chemical properties, prolonged vegetative growth, and enhanced seed yield and quality parameters of onions compared to sole applications and the control. The highest-performing integrated treatment increased seed yield by up to threefold relative to the control. The integration of 150 kg/ha NPSB with 3.75 t/ha vermicompost was identified as the most agronomically and economically optimal treatment, producing the highest seed yield and net returns. This first report from North Shewa shows that the synergistic integration of NPSB and vermicompost significantly increases onion seed productivity and quality by improving soil fertility. This approach offers a practical and sustainable nutrient management strategy for onion seed production systems in Ethiopia.

Evaluation of genotypes is essential for assessing yield stability in organic farming, helping identify suitable cultivars for Punjab’s growers. This is particularly important given the harmful effects of intensive chemical use on soil and water quality, which drives the shift toward organic practices. Unlike conventional methods, organic farming relies on sustainable approaches such as crop rotation, green manure and bio-pesticides to promote agroecosystem health. The experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2020 and 2021 in a randomised complete block design at the Research Farm of the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab. Ten Basmati varieties, including Punjab Basmati 5, Punjab Basmati 4, Punjab Basmati 3, Punjab Basmati 2, Basmati 386, Basmati 370, CSR 30, Pusa Basmati 1121, Pusa Basmati 1509 and Pusa Basmati 1718, were assessed for the various yield-attributing parameters, such as effective tillers, number of grains per panicle, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and total biomass. Pusa Basmati 1509 produced the highest grain yield (3.6 tonnes/ha), biomass yield (6.7 tonnes/ha) and harvest index (35.2 %) among all varieties followed by Punjab Basmati 4 and Pusa Basmati 1718. Net returns (INR 122,000 per ha) and benefit-cost ratio (B:C) (2.09) were the highest in Pusa Basmati 1121 because this cultivar fetches higher price in the market due to its superior aroma and cooking quality. The future research could delve into the organic cultivation practices specifically developed for these cultivars, contributing to the development of sustainable and resilient agriculture system in the region.

Efficient sowing techniques ensure proper crop establishment and enable optimal utilization of resources, thereby enhancing crop productivity, reducing production costs and improving overall farm profitability. Although quinoa is a low water-requirement crop, it responds significantly to well-planned irrigation regimes. To develop suitable irrigation schedules for quinoa under different land management in rice fallows, a field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2022–2023 and 2023–2024) at the ICAR – Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar Research Farm. The experiment included two sowing techniques in the main plots (L1: Broad Bed and Furrow; L2: Flat Beds) and three irrigation schedules in the subplots (I1: Irrigation at branching, primordial initiation, flowering and grain filling; I2: Irrigation at branching, primordial initiation and grain filling; I3: Irrigation at branching and flowering). Sowing quinoa on broad bed and furrow (BBF) resulted in significant increases in grain yield (12.6 %), biological yield (11.9 %), land productivity (13.4 %) and energy use efficiency (12.5 %) compared to flat beds. The BBF method also achieved a higher net return (US $531/ha), benefit-cost ratio (1.82), physical water productivity (0.79 kg/m3) and economic water productivity (US $0.67/m3). Irrigation scheduling at all four critical growth stages (I1) led to an increase in grain yield (1.57 t/ha), higher net return (US $686/ha), Benefit/Cost ‘B:C’ ratio (2.05) and improved water productivity (0.66 kg/m3 and US $0.57/m3 economic water productivity). Therefore, appropriate land management combined with optimal irrigation scheduling is essential for realizing the full yield potential of quinoa in the rice ecosystems of Eastern India.

Beef produced originating from the dairy herd forms an integral part of beef supply chains globally. The objective of this study was to quantify the economic and environmental performance of three dairy-beef genotypes differing in beef genetic merit and managed under three contrasting pasture-based feeding treatments, using a farm-level systems model and data from an animal systems experiment. The three steer genotypes modelled were: 1) high beef-merit Angus sires (HA); 2) low beef-merit Angus sires (LA); and 3) Holstein-Friesian (HF) sires. Each genotype was evaluated across one of three feed treatments: 1) control (CTL), grass-only during both grazing seasons; 2) low concentrate (LC), supplemented with concentrate during the first grazing season, pasture only during the second grazing season; and 3) high concentrate (HC) supplemented with concentrate during the first and second grazing season; amounting to nine scenarios. High Angus steers were most profitable (€424/animal, €1362/ha), followed by LA (€337, €1126) and HF (€188, €659). There were no interactions between genotype and feed treatment, with the CTL treatment having highest profit per head due to lower concentrate input costs. High Angus scenarios had the lowest greenhouse gas emissions between genotypes, and concentrate use reduced emissions per kg of beef, but CTL had the lowest total emissions per ha and per farm due to greater forage use. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the financial and environmental benefits of high beef genetic merit sires in dairy herd for dairy-beef systems and producers.

Terminal heat stress poses a significant challenge to chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production, necessitating effective strategies to enhance crop resilience. This study evaluated the impact of three sowing dates (1 November, 20 November and 10 December) and four paddy straw mulch levels (0, 2, 4 and 6 t/ha) on minimising terminal heat stress by improving agroclimatic indices, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception and seed yield. Field experiments were conducted during the winter seasons of 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, to assess agroclimatic indices such as growing degree days, helio-thermal units, photo-thermal units and pheno-thermal index along with PAR interception and yield attributes under different treatments. Results indicated that sowing on 1st November and application of 4 t/ha straw mulch significantly mitigated terminal heat stress by enhancing agroclimatic indices and PAR interception, leading to significantly higher yield attributes and yield. Although 6 t/ha mulch provided slightly higher benefits, they were marginal compared to 4 t/ha, making 4 t/ha the most practical and cost-effective choice. Lower mulch levels (0 and 2 t/ha) were less effective in alleviating heat stress impacts. Overall, early sowing (1st November) combined with 4 t/ha straw mulch was identified as the most effective strategy, minimising terminal heat stress and enhancing chickpea resilience and productivity. These findings emphasise the importance of timely sowing and optimised mulch application as practical, sustainable strategies for improving chickpea productivity under terminal heat stress.

The potassium (K) balance is a key indicator of the suitability and sustainability of grassland nutrient management practices. K inputs can impact soil fertility, biomass yield and herbage quality. This study evaluated data from a long-term grassland experiment established in 1970 in Northern Ireland with eight treatments: control, mineral fertilizer (NPK), cow and pig slurry at three application rates (50, 100 and 200 m3/ha). The objectives were to investigate the nutrient treatment effects on: (i) soil extractable K (SEK) (using a ammonium acetate solution), (ii) herbage K concentration and K offtake and (iii) the long-term K balance. Cow slurry provided significantly greater K inputs than pig slurry. Thus, the concentrations of SEK increased for the cow slurry treatments, but decreased significantly for the pig slurry, NPK and control treatments. The decrease in SEK was greater with soil depth. Increasing slurry rate had a positive effect on the concentrations of SEK and herbage K. The low rate of pig slurry had a herbage K concentration less than the required critical level. High rates of cow slurry led to luxury consumption of K which increases the risk of herbage cationic imbalance that could trigger tetany for livestock. Assessment of the long-term partial K balance revealed a K deficit for the NPK and pig slurry treatments, however high rate of cow slurry had a large K surplus. Refinement of nutrient management should carefully balance K inputs and losses to avoid K deficiency and excessive K inputs to grasslands.

Fertiliser input in annual cropping systems can benefit crops and weeds. The effects of organic and inorganic fertilisers on weed species composition were evaluated across two agroecological zones in Eswatini: the Highveld and the Middleveld. Weed field surveys and weed seed bank studies were conducted over two cropping seasons, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, in fields managed by smallholder farmers practising maize and cattle production. Fertiliser regimes were cattle manure only, cattle manure plus inorganic fertiliser, and inorganic fertiliser only, replicated six times in each region. The weed survey was conducted using three 25-m transects, and the weed seed bank was assessed at sampling depths of 0–10 and 10–20 cm. Results showed that cattle manure only and cattle manure plus inorganic fertiliser regimes had higher species richness and diversity than the inorganic fertiliser only regime. However, weed seed distribution did not differ between sampling depths or fertiliser regimes. Twelve weed species, including bermudagrass, crabgrass, and goosegrass, were key contributors to the differences in species composition between fertiliser regimes and agroecological zones, and were the most prevalent weeds in the seed bank. The study established that fertiliser type influences weed species composition and diversity. Proper cattle manure composting is essential to mitigate weed proliferation and enhance sustainable maize production. These findings demonstrate the need for integrated weed management and fertiliser strategies to improve crop yield and agricultural sustainability for smallholder farmers.

The objective of the current study was to evaluate 30 previously uncharacterised pure plant secondary metabolites (PSM) for effects on in vitro gas production (GP) and methane concentration. Purified compounds (n = 4) were incubated in buffered rumen fluid for 48 h at a rate of 25 mg per g substrate. Gas production was measured using ANKOM RF pressure analysers and gas composition was measured using gas chromatography. Dry matter and fibre digestibility and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were determined. Data were analysed using a linear mixed model with fixed effect of treatment, random effect of experimental run and blank as a covariate and Dunnett’s test to compare each treatment to a control. Sabenine, apigenin, galangin, isoliquiritigenin, quercetin, rutin, vitexin, abscisic acid and uridine reduced methane concentration, with a tendency for reduction by kaempferol. Sabenine, thymol, apigenin, quercetin, rutin, vitexin, abscisic acid and uridine reduced methane production, with the greatest reduction occurring for rutin (81.8 %), vitexin (81.7 %) and thymol (80.5 %). Eight compounds increased methane production compared to control, with stigmasterol having the greatest increase (173.0 %). Out of the compounds that reduced methane emissions, a reduction in fibre digestibility was observed for all except quercetin and thymol. Minimal effects of PSM on VFA profile were observed, with myrtenal increasing proportion of acetate, alpha-humulene, alpha-longipinene and beta-caryophyllene increasing proportion of propionate and thymol, apigenin, hyperoside and verbenone increasing proportion of butyrate. Results suggest that quercetin and thymol warrant further exploration as potential feed additives to reduce methane emissions.