<div>Background: An intensive cropping system involving legume and vegetable crops not only highly productive and profitable but should also be stable over time and maintains soil health in present scenario. So, keeping this point in view the present investigation was carried out to evaluate the productivity, profitability and sustainability of legume entailing different ultra high intensity rice based cropping system models under irrigated sub-tropics.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, SKUAST-Jammu, Main Campus, Chatha for two consecutive years from kharif 2019 to summer season of 2021. The experiment consisting of five legume entailing rice based cropping system models of cropping intensity varying from 300-600% viz. T1: Rice (Basmati-370) - Wheat (HD-3086) - Cowpea (Lobia Super-60) having 300% cropping intensity, T2: Rice (Basmati-564) - Potato (Kufri Badshah) - Wheat (Raj-3765) - Mixed fodder (Maize+Cowpea+Charri in 2:2:1 ratio) having 400% cropping intensity, T3: Rice (SJR-129) - Knol khol (G-40) - Potato (Kufri Sindhuri) - Green gram (IPM 02-3) having 400% cropping intensity, T4: Rice (Pusa-1121) - Radish (CR-45) - Green onion (Nasik Red) - French bean (Anupama) - Okra (Seli special) having 500% cropping intensity in relay cropping from fourth crop onwards and T5: Rice (IET-1410) - Fenugreek (JF-07) - Knol khol (G-40) - Green onion (Nasik Red) - Dry onion (Selection-1) - Black gram (Pant U-19) having 600% cropping intensity in relay cropping from third crop onwards was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications. 
 
Result: The results obtained under two years research study revealed that treatment T4 recorded significantly highest basmati-370 rice equivalent system productivity followed by treatment T5. Further, treatment T4 also recorded highest system cost of cultivation, system gross returns and system net returns. System soil fertility status in terms of available NPK after completion of second crop cycle was significantly affected. Among different cropping systems, significantly higher available nitrogen and phosphorus were recorded in treatment T5 system which was at par with treatment T4.</div>

Performance of Diversified Legume Entailing Ultra High Intensity Rice based Cropping System Models for Higher Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability

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. 
&nbsp;

Performance of Diversified Legume-based High-intensity Cropping Sequence on Productivity and Profitability

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: In this decade, increasing temperatures and adverse environmental factors are expected to influence the crop yield, seed quality and germination ability. Prolonged heat stress affects the pod setting, seed morphology and alters the starch granules. Methods: In this study, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Light microscope was used to investigate the variations of morphological and ultra-structural characteristics in blackgram genotypes grown under high temperature (38+2&deg;C) stress (HTS). Nineteen blackgram genotypes were evaluated under open top temperature controlled chamber (OTC) and the genotypes were classified into three categories such as heat tolerant, moderately heat tolerant and heat susceptible genotypes based on the Temperature Induction Response (TIR) and yield reduction percentage under HTS. Two genotypes were selected and examined the seed size, surface pattern, starch granule size and hilum from the each category. Result: Seed coat morphology was captured using SEM and light microscope showed that the tolerant genotype VBG-07-001 had a clear shiny surface, thin and reduced cotyledon fissures, compact surface devoid of surface deposits and pits whereas rest of the genotypes (VBG-06-001, VBN-6, CoBg-11-02, CoBg-11-03 and VBG-08-003) had a rough surface. A bold and well-structured starch granule was observed in heat tolerant lines whereas, unstructured and pleated granules were observed in moderately tolerant and heat stress lines. These morphological and ultra-structural studies revealed remarked diversity among different genotypes that can be regarded as useful to screen the genotypic tolerant characters for HTS.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Morphological and Ultra-Structural Characterization of Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] Genotypes Grown under High Temperature Stress</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">One of the major challenges facing the selection of leguminous crops, and pea in particular, is to increase their technological properties and yield. &nbsp;An important problem is also the increase of protein content in the seeds. The aim of this work was to create a high-tech variety of field peas with a short growing period. By repeated individual selection from the hybrid population of the Chishminsky 95 &times; Usach field pea, a precocious, highly productive PamyatiHangildina variety of pea (leafless) was obtained. The combination of new mutant traits in one plant (seed shedding - def gene, leafless type - af gene) and elements of productivity structure with optimal level of their development allowed the variety to successfully pass all tests and in 2012 it was included in the State Register of Selection Achievements of the Russian Federation . For an average of 5 years of competitive testing, the variety had a seed yield of 1.62 t/ha, exceeding the standard (control) by 0.67 t/ha. The created variety has a short growing period and a high content of protein in the seeds. The research results could be successfully used in the selection of improved peas.</div>

Selection of high-yielding, high-tech varieties of field pea (Pisum sativum L.)

<div>Background: The narrow genetic base and environmental stresses are behind the low rate of faba bean yield in the past two decades. Drought stress is one of the most destructive abiotic stresses. Using induced mutagenesis on locally adapted landrace cultivar is proposed to cope with this problem.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: This study was conducted on faba bean landrace cultivar of Saudi Arabia, namely Hassawi 2, treated by 25 and 50 Gray gamma radiation. The genetic diversity assessment of M2 mutant populations was based on seven quantitative traits and nine Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations. &nbsp; 
 
Result: A total of 3419 M2 seeds were planted, of which 2782 (81.4%) seeds germinated and 2658 plants survived. A 5 to a 10-fold range of quantitative traits studied among mutant plants compared to control plants showed high variability. The number of pods per plant and seeds per plant was a valid selection criterion for a high-yielding faba bean breeding program. Nine AFLP primer combinations generated 1079 polymorphic alleles from 88 samples that comprised mutant and control plants. Shannon index (I) and expected heterozygosity (He) were 0.337 and 0.206, respectively. The AFLP results validated high variability in M2 populations. These findings will assist faba bean breeders in developing high-yielding cultivars with drought stress tolerance.</div>

<div>High Quantitative Trait Variability in Faba Bean Mutagenized Population for High-yielding Breeding Program in Saudi Arabia</div>

Background: Cowpea is a major legume crop which has high protein content and provides a powerful tool to combat malnutrition due to its highly nutritional value. Identification of superior genotypes will aid in cowpea breeding program. Genetic variability is the foremost requirement in a breeding population for the selection of high yielding genotypes. To develop a new high yielding variety, it is important to study the genetic variability present in it so that proper and efficient selection could be done and most promising genotypes could be identified. 
 
Methods: Keeping this in mind, studies on genetic variability in grain cowpea was done utilizing 40 diverse exotic and indigenous cowpea genotypes which were evaluated for ten quantitative characters for two consecutive years 2020 and 2021. The experiment was planted in randomized block design with 3 replications at Pantnagar. Data was recorded on ten characters.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Mean squares were found to be highly significant for all the characters. Cluster analysis revealed five genetically diverse clusters. Cluster I had 8 genotypes, cluster II had 9 genotypes, cluster III consisted of 12 genotypes, cluster IV had 6 genotypes and Cluster V consisted 5 genotypes. Cluster I had the greatest intra-cluster distance (2.500) whereas cluster V had the smallest intra-cluster distance (1.701). In the cluster V, one of the genotype Pant Lobia-2 exhibited the highest mean values for all the characters. The highest GCV and PCV was recorded by number of pods per plant (28.87, 29.19) followed by yield (q/ha) (28.72, 29.04). The higher value of phenotypic component compared to the corresponding genotypic component suggest that there was an environmental influence on the performance of the genotypes. Correlation studies revealed positive correlation between pod length, pods per cluster, seeds per pod and yield quintal per hectare. Path coefficient analysis showed the significant positive direct relationship between plant height, peduncle length, pod length, number of pods per cluster, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod with yield quintals per hectare. The results of the study showed that, out of the 40 genotypes evaluated, Pant Lobia-2 exhibited the best performance. It has attractive red bold seeds with 31% protein content. Therefore it can be used in grain cowpea breeding program.

Genetic Variability Studies for Identification of High Yielding Genotypes with High Protein Content in Grain Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

Background: Cotton production is labour intensive in almost all the developing countries where it is picked by hand. However, due to acute labour shortage in recent times, mechanized harvesting is gaining momentum. Mechanized harvesting requires the application of defoliants, which reduces the cost of labour used for picking cotton and maximum cotton can be picked in a single pick (one picking) and providing timely sowing of next crop. So, farmers can get benefit of two crops instead of one single long duration cotton crop. Researchers have conducted various studies on defoliation in cotton using different chemicals and different defoliation methods. However, in India their usage could not be exploited much due to their limited availability. 
 
Methods: A field experiment entitled &ldquo;Studies on defoliants in high density planting cotton-greengram sequence&rdquo; was conducted during 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 on clay soils at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla. Crop diversification of cotton with pulses (Greengram) is an alternative cropping system for monocropping of cotton to get higher returns and high land use efficiency.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: Total cotton equivalent yield was highest with dropp ultra @ 250 ml ha-1 (D1) which was on par with Etherel @ 3000 ppm (D3) in 2018 and in pooled data. 80% boll opening recorded maximum total cotton equivalent yield, which was on par with node above cracked boll. Land use efficiency and production use efficiency were highest in late sown (80% boll opening) plots. The highest net returns and returns per rupee investment were noticed with application of defoliant dropp ultra @ 250 ml ha-1 (D1) and at 80% boll opening.

Crop Diversification of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) based Cropping System for High Resource Use Efficiency

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: The experiment was conducted at farmer&rsquo;s field to study the growth response and efficiency of feed conversion of Assam local goats under different systems of management. Methods: Twenty goats of one month of age were randomly selected in village Lachima of Nalbari district, Assam. The goats were randomly divided in two groups comprising of ten kids in each group viz, T0 (Control) where goats were reared under extensive system of management with traditional grazing and browsing and T1 (Experimental) where goats were reared under intensive system of management with ad lib. concentrate and fodder feeding.&nbsp; Conclusion: The average initial and final body weight of the goats during the experimental periods in T0 and T1 groups were recorded as 2.90&plusmn;0.03 kg and 2.89&plusmn;0.04 kg and 10.36&plusmn;0.26 kg and 16.05&plusmn;0.53 kg respectively with highly significant difference (P&lt;0.01) from 3rd week of the experiment till the end of the experiment. The overall changes in body measurement showed highly significant difference between the groups. The feed conversion efficiency on DM basis was recorded as 3.49 in the treatment group. Due to significantly higher growth rate in the intensive management system, it assures higher income in small holders&rsquo; goat production system.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Growth Response of Assam Local Goats under Intensive Farming</div>

<div>Background:&nbsp;Indigofera tinctoria plays the role of a natural dye source that produces indigo color and contains the secondary metabolite indican which is highly responsive to light intensity. This study aims to examine the critical period for the formation of the secondary metabolite indican on light intensity. 
 
Methods: The method used was a completely randomized block design with a split-plot design. The study consisted of 2 treatment factors, namely: length of shade (main plot) and light intensity (subplot). The length of shade included 5 levels, namely early growth phase (up to 1 month after planting), mid-growth phase (up to 2 months after planting), maximum growth phase (up to 3 months after planting), 1 month before harvest and 2 months before harvest. Light intensity had 3 levels, namely 50% light intensity (38,464.3 lux), 25% (19,232.15 lux) and 10% (7,692.86 lux). 
 
Result: The combination of duration of shade and light intensity affected the growth, yield and content of secondary metabolites (indican) in Indigofera tinctoria. The highest number of leaves, plant fresh weight and biomass was found in the combination of shade in the early growth phase (up to 1 month after planting) with 50% light intensity. The highest indican production was found in the mid-growth shading (up to 2 months after planting) with 10% light intensity, which was 843.33 ppm. The critical period of shade to increase indican production along with the number of leaves was the mid-growth phase (up to 2 months after planting).</div>

The Critical Period of Production of the Secondary Metabolite Indican in (Indigofera tinctoria L.) on Light Intensity

<div style="text-align: justify;">A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of chemical defoliation on growth parameters, seed cotton yield and economics of cotton under high density planting during kharif, &nbsp;2016. Defoliation with Etherel @ 2000 ppm at 60 boll opening percentage resulted in higher number of picked bolls plant-1 and boll opening percentage and seed cotton yield (2359 kg ha-1). &nbsp;At harvest, significantly highest drymatter accumulation was recorded with Urea @ 15% (T6) (22692 kg ha-1). Dropp Ultra 560 SC (Thidiazuron 360 + Diuron 180) @ 200 ml/ha recorded significantly higher leaf defoliation (99.7 %) and was superior over other defoliants tried. Application of defoliants i.e., Dropp Ultra and Etherel at 60 BOP resulted in reduction of crop duration by 20 days.</div>