<div>Background: Growth and yield characteristics of genotypes depend on genetic and environmental factors. Among the different production factors, varietal selection at any location plays an important role. Proper crop management depends on the growth characteristics of various varieties to get maximum benefit from new genetic material. Among the different water- saving irrigation methods in rice, the most widely adopted is alternate wetting and drying (AWD). Many of the rice cultivars vary in their performance under different systems of cultivation. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted on a clay loam soil at Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana during the kharif seasons of 2017 and 2018. to study the &ldquo;productivity and water use efficiency of rice cultivars under different irrigation regimes and systems of cultivation&rdquo; The treatments consisted of two irrigation regimes Alternate wetting and drying and Saturation as main plot treatments, three establishment methods System of Rice Intensification (SRI), Drum Seeding (DS) and Normal transplanting (NTP) as sub plot treatments and four Cultivars namely DRR Dhan 42, DRR Dhan 43, MTU-1010 and NLR-34449 as sub-sub plot treatments summing up to 24 treatment combinations laid out in split-split plot design with three replications. 
 
Result: At 60, 90 DAS/DAT and harvest significantly dry matter production (DMP) was recorded with DRR Dhan 43 cultivar (607, 4320 and 11548 kg ha-1 respectively in pooled means of both 2017 and 2018) than other cultivars. Whereas MTU-1010 and NLR-34449 recorded on par dry matter production values at all the crop growth stages during both the years of study. However, DRR Dhan 42 produced the lowest dry matter production compared to other genotypes. DRR Dhan 43 recorded higher dry matter accumulation (g m-2) in root, stem and leaves at all the crop growth stages, during both the years of the study over other cultivars. Alternative wetting and drying method of irrigation recorded significantly higher DMP at all the growth stages of rice (60, 90 DAS/DAT and at harvest) except at 30 DAS/DAT during both 2017 and 2018 as compared to saturation. SRI recorded significantly higher DMP as compared to normal transplanting; however, it was comparably at par with drum seeding at all the growth stages.</div>

<div>Dry Matter Production and Partitioning in Different Plant Parts of Rice Cultivars under Irrigation Regimes and Systems of Cultivation</div>

The present study was conducted to assess the response of drip method of irrigation (DMI) over flood method of irrigation (FMI) on productivity of Bt. cotton in Sirsa district of Haryana in year 2013. Forty farmers were selected on random basis from villages namely Jodhpuria, Kharia, Panniwala mota and Gigorani. The study revealed that DMI system not only reduces cost of cultivation (25 %) but also increases the productivity (27.2 %) over FMI of cotton crop. Water and electricity saving are the significant advantages of DMI farmer were able to save 2.95 H.P hours of water per hectare, which was about 33 percent saving over FMI. The major constraints faced by the producers in the production of Bt. cotton were non-availability of good quality seeds in time, lack of technical know-how, high fixed capital and imbalanced use of fertilizers. In marketing of cotton the major problem reported was under-pricing of produce, lack of storage facilities, high transportation cost and lack of credit facilities. Some of factors which inhibiting the adoption rate of micro irrigation system are subsidy is not easily available for farmers, labour-intensive operation, free electricity and low price of canal water, low quality drip material and after sale service is not satisfactory, fear about system clogging, least suitability for marginal and small farmers were observed. Therefore, it is need of hours that cotton cultivation by DMI should be promoted through appropriate policy interventions that not only helps in saving scare natural resources but also increase area and productivity of the cotton in the state.&nbsp;

Comparative economic analysis of drip irrigation vis-a-vis flood irrigation system on productivity of Bt. cotton in Haryana

Background: Water management and its appropriate use are priorities in arid and semi-arid areas across the globe.

Methods: A field experiment was carried out at Hisar in Al-Tunkopry district, Kirkuk Governorate, during 2023 summer season. Split-split plot design was adopted to implement the experiment, using randomized complete blocks design (RCBD). The main plots included irrigation method factor (sprinkler and drip) and the moisture depletion rate was placed in the sub plots (60 and 70% of the available water) while varing irrigation depth were placed in the sub-sub plots (50, 75 and 100)% of the net irrigation depth.

Result: Results of the study revealed that the water requirement of the soybean crop under the sprinkler irrigation system reached 1275.9 and 1272.9 mm season-1&nbsp;at 100% of net irrigation depth and at moisture depletion rates of 60 and 70%, respectively and in drip irrigation system it reached 1170.6 and 1201 mm season-1&nbsp;for an irrigation level of 100% of the net irrigation depth and at a moisture depletion rate of 60 and 70%, respectively. The yield coefficient values (0.52, 0.90, 1.01, 0.90) and (0.44, 0.85, 0.96, 0.52) at a moisture depletion of 60% for the two methods (drip and sprinkler irrigation). The highest seed yield was 4.094 Mg ha-1&nbsp;for the sprinkler irrigation treatment with a moisture depletion rate of 60% and an irrigation water level of 50% of the net irrigation depth, while the lowest yield was 2.41800 Mg ha-1&nbsp;for the drip irrigation treatment with a moisture depletion rate of 60 and a level of 75% of the net depth. The drip irrigation achieved the highest water use efficiency 0.607072 kg m-3, in comparison to the sprinkler irrigation 0.362063 kg m-3.

Effect of Moisture Depletion Rate and Irrigation Water Depth on the Productivity and Water Use Efficiency of Soybean Crop (Glycine max L.) Merr. under Drip Irrigation and Fixed Sprinkler Irrigation Systems

The field experiment was conducted at Precision Farming Development Centre, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal on influence of different irrigation methods in three continuous years (2010-2013) on the performance pea crop. Conventional flood irrigation, micro sprinkler and drip irrigation systems were adopted as three treatments and with seven replications in each treatment in the study. Pea (Arkel variety) crop was sown at a spacing of 45 X 10 cm. During the period of experiment flood irrigation were applied on weekly basis and micro irrigation and drip irrigation systems were operated every third day to meet the crop water requirement. The total quantity of water applied in flood, drip irrigation and micro sprinkler systems were 387.5, 244.7 and 273.5 mm respectively. Maximum crop yield was observed under micro sprinkler system (98.60 q/ha) followed by drip and conventional irrigation system. Saving of water was found better under drip irrigation over micro sprinkler irrigation system.&nbsp;

Performance of pea under different irrigation systems

<div>The effect of plastic mulch on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivation under low head drip irrigation systems was studied at ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, PFDC, Bhopal during 2018-19. Drip irrigation system was operated by placing water tank at a total water deliver height of 3 m and varied heads to 2.5 m and 2.0 m to find out the value of coefficient of uniformity under these heads. The experimental treatments consisted in five levels by varying irrigation methods: Flood irrigation, irrigation with drip laid on raised beds, irrigation with drip laid on raised beds covered with black mulch, irrigation with drip laid on raised beds covered with silver mulch and irrigation with drip laid on raised beds covered with white mulch. Growth and yield parameters of chickpea viz., plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, plant dry matter (g/plant), effective nodule per plant and nodules dry weight (mg/plant), number of pods per plant, 100 seed weight, seed yield (kg/ha) and harvest index were highest under silver plastic mulch laid on raised beds, irrigated with drip as compared to black plastic mulch and white plastic mulch treatments. Lowest growth and yield parameters were recorded in the flood irrigated treatment. Water Use Efficiency was highest under silver plastic mulch (17.21kg/ha mm) and lowest under flood irrigated condition (3.74 kg/ha mm). Net returns were higher in the treatment under the silver mulch (Rs/ha 77939) and followed by black mulch (Rs/ha 67179) with lowest net returns in the flood irrigated condition (Rs/ha 32690).</div>

Effect of Mulching on Chickpea under Low Head Drip Irrigation System

Background: The article presents the results of studies that allow us to calculate and predict the water consumption of cultivated vegetable crops depending on the moisture availability of the growing season. Hydrothermal indicators of the territory during the entire growing season have a significant impact on the irrigation regime and water consumption of cultivated crops.

Methods: In the present study, the assessment of natural moisture during the growing season was determined by the hydrothermal coefficient (GTC) according to the criterion of T.G. Selyaninov. The irrigation rate was calculated according to the modified formula of A.N. Kostyakov. Biological productivity was taken into account by the method of meter sites in three-fold repetition.

Result: The value of the irrigation norm varies depending on the intensity of atmospheric droughts when growing potatoes in the conditions of the dry-steppe zone of the Lower Volga region. To maintain a given pre-irrigation threshold of soil moisture, it is necessary to take into account the hydrothermal indicators of the territory during the entire growing season. The use of modern resource-saving irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation, makes it possible to ensure an uninterrupted supply of moisture to plants and, as a result, to obtain high-quality crop yields. Thus, in order to obtain high and stable yields of potatoes grown on drip irrigation, depending on the heat and moisture availability of the growing season, it took from 2,250 to 3,040 m3/ha of irrigation water.

Influence of Hydrothermal Parameters on Potato Irrigation Regime

<div>Background: This study aimed to observe the agronomic response of 18 Southeast Sulawesi local upland rice cultivars that were grown under two cultivation systems (dry land and wet rice field) and optimize local potential to support self-sufficiency and food security.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The research used a split-plot design with the following main plot: cultivation system (L) including upland (L1) and rice field cultivation system (L2). The subplots were 18 local upland rice cultivars such as Wangkomina (K1), Wuna Lapodidi (K2), Waburi-buri (K3), Wapantoga (K4), Nggalaru (K5), Wuna Parigi (K6), Bakala (K7), Biu (K8), Ikulaku (K9), Bou (K1), Momea (K11), Daindomoronene (K12), Konkep (K13), Tinangge (K14), Ndoamoito (K15), Uwa (K16), Ndowatu (K17) and Indalibana (K18).&nbsp; 
 
Result: The local upland rice responded better to the wetland cultivation system than the upland cultivation system. The local upland rice cultivar Ndowatu showed the highest production potential, which was statistically similar to the Biu, Ikulaku, Momea, Konkep and Uwa cultivars. Ndowatu cultivar showed high production potential (842.80 g.m-2). Thus, this cultivar can be considered suitable for development in the rainfed lowlands to increase the planting index and to support the self-sufficiency and food security of the region.</div>

Agronomic Response of Local Upland Rice Cultivars on Growing under Two Cultivation Systems

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: The system output of groundnut based intercropping system depends on the selected companion crop as well as the frequency with which irrigation is supplied. This initiates a requisite to evaluate the performance of present traditional intercropping systems and thereby optimize the level of irrigation for both the crops under the system. 
 
Methods: A two-year field experiment was conducted during the rabi season 2017-2019 at Oilseeds Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu, India The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Main plot comprised of five treatments with four intercrops viz., castor (TMV 5), blackgram (VBN 8), sesame (TMV 7), pearl millet (CO 10) and sole groundnut (TMV 13). The sub plot was assigned with three irrigation regimes based on IW/CPE ratio of 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Groundnut + blackgram combination recorded higher pod yield (6.31 g plant-1), equivalent pod yield (1986 kg ha-1) with increased water use efficiency (5.49 kg ha-1 mm-1) and economic water productivity (₹&nbsp;309 ha-1 mm-1) over sole groundnut while other intercropping combinations failed to express. Soil moisture extraction pattern was higher at top layers and decreased with soil depth. More frequent irrigations (IW/CPE 1.0) mismatched with the crop water requirement and resulted in higher consumptive water use (500.8 mm) with moisture extraction pattern from initial layers favouring evaporation losses. At peak growth stage (60 days after sowing) higher light interception was observed in groundnut + pearl millet (41.4%) followed by castor (38.2%) combinations which was the prime reason for decreased yields as groundnut is susceptible to shading. Therefore, groundnut + blackgram combination under rabi season when supplied with six irrigations at twenty days interval (based on IW/CPE 0.50) could significantly increase the productivity and monetary returns from the system.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Influence of Irrigation Regimes on the Performance of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) under Intercropping Situation</div>

<div>Background: Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek], also known as green gram is cultivated on area of 4.75 million ha in kharif and rabi/ spring seasons as monocrop or intercrop in India. It serves as a major source of dietary protein for the vast majority of vegetarian people in the country. Mungbean contributed 10.03 per cent of total pulses production (23.40 million tonnes) in the country with productivity level of 494 kg ha-1 in 2018-19. The pulses cultivation in Haryana is almost eliminated in kharif season owing to deviation of area towards cotton, cluster bean and pearlmillet because of low profitability. However, the new window opens for cultivation of mungbean in rice-wheat cropping system in summer season to generate additional farm income and to improve soil health. The area under summer mungbean in state was around 64 thousand ha with the production of 50 thousand tonnes and the average productivity of 780 kg/ha during 2017-18. Although rice-wheat system provides better farm returns, but it has imposed threat to soil health, availability and contamination of ground water, weed and biotic stress management.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The data &nbsp;pertains to costs and returns from &nbsp;summer mungbean cultivation was gathered from &nbsp;60 mungbean cultivators of Hisar, Kurukshetra and Panipat districts of Haryana having adequate irrigation water availability adopting personal interaction approach in 2018-19. Simple budgeting technique was employed to draw practical implications which ultimately help to take favourable policy decisions for enhancing acreage of summer mungbean. 
 
Result: The inquiry profound that mungbean cultivation in summer season particularly in rice-wheat was established as additional income generation farm enterprise. The net benefits accrued from short duration varieties of mungbean over variable cost was Rs. 31831 ha-1 &nbsp;with time span of 60-70 days by utilizing fallow land in summer season. The B-C ratio toiled considering expenses incurred on variable resources with value of 2.99 divulges economic viability of mungbean cultivation in the study area. It is imperative from results that cultivation of short duration cultivars of mungbean is viable option to enhance farm income, restoration of diminishing soil fertility owing to adoption of continuous rice-wheat rotation by inherent characteristics of converting atmospheric nitrogen. Distinctive efforts are essential to evolve mungbean cultivars suitable to prevailing cropping system in Haryana and assure market procurement. The exploration of mungbean cultivation will reduce dependency on import and improve net availability of pulses in India.</div>

<div>Additional Income Generation from Cultivation of Summer Mungbean in Rice-Wheat System of Haryana</div>

<div>Background: A properly designed drip irrigation system increases the efficiency of irrigation water and its design is based on the soil wetting pattern. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: In this study, a numerical model has been developed using one-dimensional Richard&rsquo;s Equation to simulate soil wetting pattern under drip irrigation. A fully implicit finite-difference scheme has been used to solve the governing equations with suitable initial and boundary conditions. An experiment was also conducted to analyse the wetting pattern in sandy loam soil. Wetting front computed by numerical model has been compared with the experimental wetting front at different time interval of drip irrigation system. The present model is also validated with the results available in the literature. 
 
Result:&nbsp;Statistical indices - root mean square error, percentage bias and coefficient of determination have been used to evaluate the model&rsquo;s performance. The computed results are closely matched with the and experimental results with RMSE is less than 3, PBIAS less than 6% and R2 greater than 0.96 and also with the earlier models with RMSE is less than 0.01, PBIAS less than 4% and R2 greater than 0.98, It shows that the present model can simulate soil wetting pattern in the drip irrigation system.</div>