<div>Background: After harvesting of kharif crops, lack of sufficient soil moisture availability limit the cultivation of rabi crops in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. So a huge area remains fallow during the rabi season mainly because of infrastructure to harvest and to utilize the bountiful rains of the monsoon. So, agronomic measures to conserve the soil moisture are very suitable for the region because of their low cost and capability to reduce soil erosion. In this region, maize stalk are not used as fodder for animals and are usually burnt or kept outside the field. Similarly, during rainy season, there is plenty of water hyacinth and paddy straw found around cultivated areas. Retention of crop residues and weed biomass on the soil surface in combination with zero tillage initiates process that lead to improve soil quality and overall enhancement of resource use efficiency. 
 
Methods: The trials were conducted for consecutive two years (2017-18 and 2018-19) in split plot design with three main plot treatments as cropping system after Maize, viz, i) Maize-chickpea (CS1) ii) Maize-lentil (CS2) iii) Maize-lathyrus (CS3); with five sub-plot treatments as mulching i) No-mulching (Residue Removal) (M0) ii) In-situ Maize stalk mulching (M1) iii) In-situ maize stalk mulch + Water hyacinth (5 t/ha) (M2) iv) In-situ maize stalk mulch + Paddy straw (5 t/ha) (M3) v) In-situ maize stalk mulch + Water hyacinth (2.5 t/ha) + Paddy straw (2.5 t/ha) (M4) but the individual rabi crop&rsquo;s data were analyzed in randomized block design (RBD) as the individual crops have different growth characteristics. 
 
Result: Experiments result revealed that mulching with M3- In-situ maize stalk mulch + Paddy straw (5 t/ha) is the best practice for growing pulses under zero-till condition after Maize in Maize-legume cropping system. Growing of pulses in different cropping system under zero-till condition not only will increase the cropping intensity and production of pulses in the country but also will increase the fertility of the soil.</div>

<div>Performance of Zero-till Bio-mulching on Different Pulses under Maize-legume Sequence</div>

<div>Background: Cluster bean was cultivated as a catch crop without external fertilization, solely to recharge the soil fertility and to harvest the residual nutrient after maize crop; clusterbean had been included as a succeeding crop. Doubling the fertilizer for maize would leave more residues. Even though maize is an exhaustive crop, since the nutrient uptake was need based, the excess fertilizers were effectively utilized by cluster bean.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field research was carried out at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore under irrigated conditions. Experimental trials were adopted to estimate the effect of high density with nutrient management practices on maize which influences the performance of succeeding cluster bean under maize-cluster bean cropping sequence during Rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19 by using cultivar Pusa Naubahar. No separate treatments were adapted to cluster bean crop.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results of cluster bean sown after the high density of 1,33,333 plants ha-1 maize with nutrient level of 200 per cent RDF produced taller plants, higher drymatter production (636 and 607 kg/ha), increased yield attributes, higher yield (6.58 and 6.81 t/ha) and better economics (B:C ratio -1.87 and 1.94) in both the seasons. Post-harvest available nutrient status revealed that the higher population by closer spacing with increased fertilizer levels (T7) maintained its superiority during both the years. Moreover, this proved to be the most viable practice for production and residual nutrient uptake, by including pulse (cluster bean) as succeeding crop and soil health was effectively maintained by fixing atmospheric nitrogen by cluster bean.</div>

Effect of Maize High Density Planting on Cluster Bean Performance under Maize-cluster Bean Cropping Sequence

<div>Background: Maize is the third most important food crop in India. Conventionally it is a furrow irrigated crop and hence, it calls for an effective on-farm management of water in field through micro irrigation. Intensive agriculture practice like continuous monocropping without following the principles of crop rotation and sequence have resulted in several ecological complications. Hence, blackgram was introduced as a succeeding crop after drip irrigated maize. The aim of the study was to examine the residual effect of drip irrigation levels and maize genotypes and their interaction on succeeding crop i.e. blackgram.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: During summer 2018 and 2019, maize experiment was conducted with four irrigation levels (drip irrigation at 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 ETc and furrow irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio) and four maize genotypes (NK-6240, Pinnacle, CP-818 and RCRMH-2). After maize, succeeding blackgram was taken up under rainfed condition of Dharwad during kharif 2018 and 2019.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Performance of blackgram was superior under residual effect of drip irrigation treatments over furrow irrigation method. Among the interactions, significantly higher yield, RWUE and net returns were recorded with residual effect of I1G4 treatment combination. However, it was on par with I1G2, I1G3, I1G1, I2G1, I2G2, I2G4, I3G2 and I3G3 treatment combinations.</div>

Residual Effect of Irrigation Levels and Maize Genotypes on Performance of Succeeding Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) in Maize-blackgram Sequence Cropping

<div>Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the important cereal crop and its demand is increasing due to its versatile use but the productivity in India is still low. The basic requirement for improving the crop productivity is soil fertility and it is highly related with soil organic matter. Due to unavailability of organic manure and their higher cost, cheaper the organic source available at farm should be explored to meet the requirement. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at College Agronomy Farm, B.A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand during summer-kharif seasons of years 2017 and 2018 to examine the impact of legume crop residue and nitrogen levels on maize crop. Experiment comprised of three legume crops grown in summer season viz., green gram, groundnut and cluster bean, two residue management treatments viz., residue removal and incorporation and three nitrogen levels in kharif maize viz., 100%, 75% and 50% recommended dose of nitrogen. 
 
Result: Results indicated that cluster bean-maize sequence provided the highest leaf area and leaf area index at 60 days after sowing, chlorophyll content and dry matter production at 30 and 60 days after sowing and crop growth rate for of maize crop. Incorporation of legume residues also had significant effect on plant height, dry matter production and chlorophyll content; leaf area and leaf area index at 60 days after sowing and crop growth rate and absolute growth rate of maize crop. Application of 100% RDN beneficially affected all the growth parameter and indices. Overall, summer legume cropping with their residue incorporation and higher nitrogen levels favourably impacts on various growth parameters and growth indices of maize crop.</div>

<div>Effect of Legume Crop Residues and Nitrogen Management on Growth Parameters and Growth Indices of Maize (Zea mays L.)</div>

<div>Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the important cereal crops of world. Its multiple uses in food industry made it most demanded crop, but the productivity in India is still low. Inclusion of legumes in the cropping system can help in restoring soil fertility in incredible ways hence, enhancing the crop productivity. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at B. A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand during summer-kharif seasons of years 2017 and 2018 to examine the impact of legume crop residue and nitrogen levels on maize crop. Experiment comprised of three legume crops grown in summer season viz., green gram, groundnut and cluster bean, two residue management treatments viz., residue removal and incorporation and three nitrogen levels in kharif maize viz., 100%, 75% and 50% recommended dose of nitrogen.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Cluster bean-maize cropping system followed by groundnut-maize cropping system observed for the highest improvement in growth parameters, yield attribute and grain and straw yield. Residue incorporation of summer legumes and full dose of nitrogen in maize was found significant for increasing growth and yield parameters and grain yield of maize. Study indicate that residue incorporation had positive effects on maize growth and yield, however incorporation was not able to reduce the nitrogen requirement through chemical means.</div>

Effect of Inclusion of Legumes in Cropping System and their Residue Incorporation on the Yield of Maize

This review paper aims to gather significant literature on the influence of maize-legume intercropping in soil fertility management based on research conducted in various parts of the world at various times. The review titled &lsquo;Impact of maize-legume intercropping in soil fertility management was organized using relevant materials such as empirical studies, case reports and meta-analyses that highlight the benefits and challenges associated with this agricultural practice. By synthesizing these findings, the paper seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of how maize-legume intercropping can enhance soil health, improve crop yields and contribute to sustainable farming practices as journal article reviews and brief communications. Intercropping is a valuable agronomic approach that allows efficient use of resources such as water, soil nutrients and light, resulting in increased yield when compared to monocropping. This review provides researchers and practitioners with a thorough understanding of the benefits of intercropping in sustaining soil fertility, which greatly contributes to crop output. This review investigated and clarified the various ecological services provided by maize-legume intercropping systems. As different research studies conducted across the world illustrate, intercropping promotes nutrient availability and uptake by plants, thus increasing production. This knowledge will assist farmers in India in better understanding how to employ cereal-legume intercropping systems what benefits to raise yields, improve socioeconomic situations and promote conservation agriculture practices.

Impact of Maize-legume Intercropping on Soil Fertility Management: A Review

<div>Background: Legume residues such as leaves from cowpea and lablab plants can be accumulated in large quantities after fruits harvesting. These legumes can be incorporated in ruminants&rsquo; diets due to their high feeding value. They are rich in crude protein, vitamins and minerals when compared to grasses that normally deteriorate during dry seasons. This paper is focusing on determining effect of legume residues and maize straws on in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD) and palatability indices in ruminants. 
 
Methods: For palatability experiment, each of five male boer goats was provided with four feeding troughs carrying&nbsp; four different feeds (maize straws and 3 legumes =&nbsp;Lablab purpureus - lablab and 2 Vigna unguiculata - cowpeas - Dr Saunders and Betswit). The legume residues and maize straws were also analyzed for chemical composition and IVDMD. All data was subjected to a one-way analysis of variance.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Dr Saunders (230.7 g/kg DM) had the highest (P&lt;0.05) crude protein content when compared to all diets. Lablab (126.3 g/kg DM) had the lowest (P&lt;0.05) acid detergent lignin. The highest (P&lt;0.05) condensed tannins concentrations (50.1 g/kg DM) was recorded for Betswit. The highest (P&lt;0.05) in vitro dry matter degradability was recorded for lablab at 24 up to 72 hrs. Lablab had a higher palatability index (P&lt;0.05) when compared to other diets. Intake (r2 = 0.955) and palatability index (r2 = 0.971) were positively and significantly (P&lt;0.05) predicted from total phenolics on goats. Though lablab had better values in most parameters measured, all legumes can be highly recommended to supplement low-quality roughages such as maize straws and grasses.</div>

Proximate Analysis, in vitro Dry Matter Degradability and Palatability Index of Legume Residues and Maize Straws for Ruminants

Background: The subtropical regions of Jammu and Kashmir face unique agricultural challenges due to their climatic conditions and irrigation needs. The integration of cereals, legumes and grasses into sustainable forage cropping sequences offer a promising solution to enhance both productivity and nutritional quality of livestock feed. This study aims to assess the nutritional quality of these diverse forage crops under irrigated conditions providing valuable insights for improving agricultural sustainability and livestock health in the region. By optimizing forage cropping systems, this research seeks to contribute to the development of resilient agricultural practices in the subtropics of Jammu and Kashmir.s 
 
Methods: The study was conducted at Research Farm, Division of Agronomy, SKUAST &ndash; Jammu during 2020 and 2021 focused on assessing sustainable forage cropping sequences for continuous high-quality green fodder production in subtropical irrigated zones of India. The experimental field had sandy clay loam soil with slightly alkaline pH, low organic carbon and nitrogen levels and medium availability of potassium and phosphorus. It comprised 24 treatments arranged in RBD and replicated three times with nutrient application following recommended practices. 
 
Result: The experimental results revealed that Multicut Sorghum + Maize with Root slips of Napier planted in July recorded significantly higher ADF, NDF, hemi cellulose and cellulose content at each cut which was statistically at par with Multicut Sorghum + Maize with Root slips of Setaria planted in July, Multicut Sorghum + Maize with Stem cuttings of Napier planted in January and Multicut Sorghum + Maize with Stem cuttings of Setaria planted in January during both the years of experimentation. However, significantly lowest ADF content was recorded with Multicut Bajra + Cowpea with stem cuttings of Setaria planted in January.

Assessing Nutritional Quality of Sustainable forage Sequences Including Cereals, Legumes and Grasses in Irrigated Subtropics of Jammu and Kashmir - India

<div>A field experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm of ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tura during kharif, pre-rabi and rabi season of 2011-12 to 2013-14 to determine the suitable production potential, profitability, resource use efficiency and sustainability of diversified maize-legumes cropping system. The five cropping sequences viz., CS1: Maize + Blackgram (1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (2:1) &ndash; tomato, &nbsp;CS2: maize + green gram(1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (2:1) &ndash; tomato, CS3: maize + groundnut(1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (2:1) &ndash; tomato, &nbsp;CS4: maize + Ssybean(1:2) &ndash; tomato and CS5: maize sole &ndash; green gram &ndash; tomato were replicated four times using a randomized block design on sandy loam soil with low to medium fertility level and slightly acidic in reaction. The cropping system &ldquo;Maize + Green gram(1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (1:1) &ndash; tomato&rdquo; was found to be most remunerative and sustainable with system productivity (175.49 q/ha), net return (Rs.3,38,725/ha), profitability (Rs. 928.01 /ha/day), benefit cost ratio (4.40), sustainable yield index (1.00), production efficiency (Rs.58.30/ha/day), relative economic efficiency (162.72%), except land use efficiency(LUE) which was the highest (85.75%) in &nbsp;&ldquo;maize + groundnut(1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (1:1) &ndash; tomato&rdquo; cropping system. The lowest system productivity, net returns, profitability, production efficiency, land use efficiency etc was found in maize+ soybean (1:2)- tomato followed by maize-greengram-tomato cropping system. Hence, the cropping sequence maize + green gram(1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (1:1) &ndash; tomato &nbsp;and maize + groundnut(1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (1:1) &ndash; tomato were found to be the productive, profitable, remunerative, resource use efficient and sustainable &nbsp;in the mid hills sub-tropical regions of India.</div>

<div>Sustainable diversification of maize (Zea mays L.) -legumes cropping systems for productivity, profitability and resource-use efficiency in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya, India</div>

Background: Enhancing productivity while conserving soil and resources is a pre-requisite for achieving sustainable intensification of agro-ecosystems. Diversification by integrating legumes with millets for such high-intensity systems not only offers a potential of improving soil fertility by fixing nitrogen and residue addition but overall enhances proper balance in nutrient cycling, ensures efficient use of land enhancing year-round productivity under irrigated conditions. 
 
Methods: Field experiment was conducted at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu under irrigated conditions to evaluate high intensity legume-millet-millet cropping sequences. The study consisted of twelve cropping sequences laid down in a randomized block design with three replications, covering a complete annual cycle from rabi to kharif. Legume crop (Pea) was grown as common rabi crop across all treatments, followed by three millets foxtail millet, proso millet and pearl millet in the summer season and four millets finger millet, barnyard millet, little millet and kodo millet during kharif. 
 
Result: Productivity of pea remained statistically unaffected during both years. During the summer season, cropping sequences involving pearl millet recorded significantly higher yields followed by foxtail millet. While among the kharif crops, finger millet outperformed other millet crops in sequence in terms of productivity. Overall, cropping systems integrating foxtail or pearl millet during summer and finger millet during kharif achieved the significantly higher system productivity (14,533.92 and 14,582.74 kg ha-1&nbsp;in the first and second year, respectively) and profitability in terms of benefit : cost ratio of 2.62 and 2.38. Hence, the inclusion of pea-foxtail/pearl millet-finger millet proved to be most productive and economical viable option for irrigated conditions. 
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