<div>Background: During rabi / summer irrigation water is a scarce resource, but crop needs more water due to non-rainy season and warmer climate. Hence, a field experiment was conducted during rabi / summer season of 2016-17 to study the effect of irrigation water regimes on water use efficiency (WUE) of groundnut genotypes in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: This field study comprised of four main plots as water regimes viz. I1: (control) seven irrigations at 15 days interval from sowing to 105 DAS, I2: Stress at pegging stage; withdrawal of one irrigation between 45 - 60 DAS, I3: Stress at pegging and pod filling stage; withdrawal of two irrigations between 45-75 DAS, I4: Stress at pegging, pod filling and kernel development stage; withdrawal of four irrigations from 45-105 DAS and four genotypes as sub plots viz. G1: Dh-86, G2: Dh-101, G3: K-9 and G4: G2-52. Treatments were replicated thrice and laid out in split plot design.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Among the water regime, I2 recorded significantly higher WUE (6.2 kg ha-1 mm-1) followed by I1 (control; 5.5 kg ha-1 mm-1). Water regime I2 also recorded significantly higher pod yield and haulm yield (2,857 kg ha-1 4,648 kg ha-1, respectively) along with other yield attributes, but was found at par with control (I1). This study showed that WUE as well as yield of rabi / summer groundnut can be enhanced if crop was exposed only to mild stress by skipping an irrigation at pegging stage out of total seven irrigations. Among the genotypes, Dh-86 with 2,375 kg ha-1 of pod yield performed significantly better over others like Dh-101 (2,215 kg ha-1), K-9 (2,048 kg ha-1) and G2-52 (1,880kg ha-1) suggesting differential response to moisture stress, thus choice of moisture stress tolerant genotypes is equally important to enhance WUE. Interaction between irrigation regime and genotypes showed that Dh-86 (G1) with I2 irrigation regime recorded significantly higher WUE (6.9 kg ha-1 mm-1), pod yield (3,168 kg ha-1) and net return (Rs. 95,655 ha-1) and was found at par with full irrigation regime (I1).&nbsp;</div>

<div>Effect of Moisture Regimes on Water use Efficiency of Rabi / Summer Groundnut Genotypes in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka</div>

<div>Background: Groundnut crop grown during Rabi / summer experiences moisture stress, thus irrigation is must. However, water for irrigation gets scarce during summer month hence it becomes important to choose stress tolerant varieties and optimize irrigation schedule without compromising the yield. 
 
Methods: A field experiment with four rabi / summer groundnut genotypes (G1: Dh-86, G2: Dh-101, G3: K-9 and G4: G2-52) exposed to four irrigation regimes (I1: 7 irrigations at 15 days interval from sowing to 105 DAS as control, I2: withdrawal of one irrigation between 45 - 60 DAS i.e., pegging stage, I3: withdrawal of two irrigations between 45-75 DAS i.e., at pegging and pod filling stage, I4: withdrawal of four irrigations from 45-105 DAS i.e., at pegging, pod filling and kernel development stage) was carried out from December to April of 2016-17 on black cotton soils at AICRP on Groundnut UAS, Dharwad. 
 
Result: Among the genotypes tested, Dh-86 recorded significantly higher pod yield (2,376 kg ha-1) followed by Dh-101 (2,215 kg ha-1) and K-9 (2,048 kg ha-1), whereas G2-52 gave the lowest yield (1,880kg ha-1) and all of them performed well at I1 and I2 irrigation regimes. Among different water regimes, I1 (i.e., control) recorded significantly taller plants, higher LAI, more branches and higher dry matter at harvest as compared to other irrigation regimes, hence it also recorded significantly higher pod yield and haulm yield (2,870 and 4,691 kg ha-1, respectively), but was found at par with I2, i.e., crop stressed only at pegging stage (2,858 and 4,648 kg ha-1, respectively). This suggests that, at the most, one irrigation can be skipped at pegging stage without compromising on yield.</div>

<div>Effect of Water Regimes on the Growth of and Yield of Rabi / Summer Groundnut Genotypes in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka</div>

Background: Scanty availability of irrigation water in the region is one of the major limitations in cultivation of horticultural crops. Land configurations and plastic mulching has been found to be an effective technique for increasing the profitability of bulb crops. The objective of this study was to find the effect of water regimes, land configuration and mulching on growth, yield and water use efficiency of onion (Allium cepa L.) under the soil and agro climatic conditions of Western Rajasthan. 
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Methods: The experiment was conducted at Instructional farm, Department of Horticulture, AU, Jodhpur during rabi season of 2020-21 and 2021-22. There were three factors studied in this experiment one major factor viz., A) Water regimes include three levels (I1-1.0 IW/CPE, I2-0.8 IW/CPE and I3-0.6 IW/CPE ratio) and two sub factors viz., A) Land configuration include two levels (B1- Flat bed configuration and B2- Raised bed configuration) and B) Mulching include four levels (M1- No-mulch, M2- Black mulch, M3- Silver-black mulch and M4- White-black mulch). Overall there were twenty four treatment combinations. 
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Result: On the basis of pooled analysis, the dry matter content, double bulb, leaf chlorophyll content, NPK and S content were significantly affected by different water regimes, land configurations and mulch types.

Quality and Nutrient Uptake of Onion (Allium cepa L.) as Influenced by Water Regimes, Land Configurations and Mulching&nbsp;&nbsp;

Background: Indian mustard, a key oilseed crop in India, is valued for its diverse culinary and health benefits. It faces significant challenges due to a wide range of abiotic stress wherein climate-induced water stress is one of them, which negatively impacts plant population, morpho-physiological growth and biochemical reactions. Thus not only the seed yield but also oil production is declining. 
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Methods: The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of humic acid and sulfur on phenology, membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation and oil yield in Brassica juncea under varying water regimes during the Rabi season of 2022-23 at the research farm of Lovely Professional University. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with a total of 16 possible combinations of water regimes and chemical treatments which include humic acid and sulfur. 
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Result: The results indicated that most of the traits were noticed as statistically significant for both factors i.e. water regimes and chemical treatments at p=0.05%. Among the treatments, I3&nbsp;(Three irrigation) and C3&nbsp;(Humic acid + Sulfur) were detected as the most effective treatments in terms of percent increase/decrease, resulting highest value over the respective control. The highest % increase was noticed in the initial plant population, final plant population, days taken for maturity, oil content, the moisture content in oil, chlorophyll a, b, a+b and membrane stability index while the reduction in days taken for branching, days taken for the 50% flowering, relative density and malondialdehyde were noticed in the I3&nbsp;and C3. Thus the findings suggest that the 3 irrigations in combination with humic acid and Sulfur can effectively ameliorate the morpho-physiological growth by increasing the chlorophyll contents, integrity of the cell wall and oil yield in Indian Mustard.

Humic Acid and Sulphur Modulating Phenology, Membrane Integrity, Lipid Peroxidation and Oil Yield in Brassica juncea under Water Regimes

Background: Chickpea crop is water sensitive amongst the pulse crop. It can grow leftover moisture with lifesaving water supply through irrigation during grain filling stage. Timely irrigation is important at crucial growth stages to achieving higher chickpea yield. In present study, the actual seasonal evapotranspiration, water expense efficiency and grain yield of Chickpea varieties under varying irrigation have been evaluated. 
 
Methods: The field trial was laid out at the AB block farm of BCKV, Kalyani with a split-plot design with two chickpea varieties (i) V1- Bidisha and (ii) V2- Purva, in the main plots and three irrigation frequencies (i) I1-irrigate once only at 30 days after sowing (DAS); (ii) I2- irrigate twice on 30 and 50 DAS and (iii) I3- irrigate thrice on 30, 50 and 70 DAS replicated thrice during the rabi season of 2020-21 and 2021-22. 
 
Result: The water expense efficiency was highest (1.32 kg m-3) under I1 irrigation frequency by Bidisha variety followed by Purva variety recorded highest WUE 0.95 kg m-3. The maximum chickpea yield (2040 kg ha-1) was harvested from Bidisha and was 23.04% greater than Purva mean over two years in I3 irrigation regime. Considering the output of the study cultivation of Bidisha with three irrigations can be suggested to the farmers of the region.

Actual Evapotranspiration, Water Expense Efficiency and Grain Yield of Chickpea under Varying Irrigation Regimes

<div>Background: Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a crop of immense economic significance. It is one of the most resilient to climate changes and to be survival food during drought-triggered famines. 
 
Methods: In a field study split factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with 3 replications were used, effects of irrigation regimes (50, 75 and 100% evaporation of Pan class A) and different rates of phosphorous fertilizer (triple superphosphate 0, 60 and 120 kg/ha) on growth and yield of two grass pea ecotypes (Lalehzar and Sharekord) in Lalezar area (Kerman province, Iran) was carried out during 2018 and 2019. 
 
Result: The results showed that drought stress reduced grass pea seed yield (401 kg/ha-1) and biological yield (863 kg/ha-1) and this reduction was depended on the severity of stress. In the other side, application of phosphorous fertilizer (60 kg/ha-1) increased grass pea yield (2401 kg/ha-1). This means that phosphorus fertilizer could partiaiiy offset the effect of drought stress and had a significant effect on the water use efficiency and phosphorus agronomic efficiency. Finally, drought stress, either no-application phosphorus fertilizer, could decrease yield. Overally, Shahrekord ecotype showed the higher and most desirable grain yield (2401 kg/ha-1), biological yield (5612 kg/ha-1), grain water use efficiency and biological water use efficiency, respectively, with (0.74 and 1.72 m3 water/ha-1) and phosphorus agronomic efficiency (18.76 kg yield/kg P) to the applied treatments (75% irrigation+ triple superphosphate fertilizer 60 kg/ha).</div>

​Effect of Irrigation Regimes and Phosphorus Fertilization on Water-use Efficiency, Phosphorus-agronomic Efficiency and Yield of Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) Ecotypes

<div>Background: The land utilization efficiency of vertisols can be increased by inclusion of a short duration crop preceding Bengal gram in fallow-bengalgram cropping system in scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradesh. 
 
Methods: A field investigation was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, Kurnool (District), Andhra Pradesh during 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 to study the influence of including a short duration crop like foxtail millet in traditional fallow-chickpea system. The field was laid out in Split plot design and the treatments are comprised of cropping systems i.e foxtail millet-chickpea and fallow-chickpea as main plots and variable water regimes (with and without irrigation) as subplots. 
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Result: The results revealed that in deep vertisols, kharif fallows can be grown with a short duration crop like foxtail millet by utilising the initial rains of the season thus providing an additional income to chickpea farmer and was also observed that seed yield of chickpea taken up during rabi was not affected due to preceding foxtail millet.</div>

<div>Inclusion Effect of Fox Tail Millet in Fallow-chickpea Production System: An Approach to Improve Land Productivity in Vertisols under Variable Water Regimes</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">A split plot design field study was conducted during summer month of 2012 and 2013 at the vegetable block of Indian Institute of Horticultural Research in Bangalore, India to evaluate if priming could improve grain yield and water use efficiency of cowpea under limited water supply condition through drip system. Seeds of cultivar Arka garima received the following priming treatments: they were soaked in GA3,Calcium Chloride, Ammonium Molybdate, Potassium Bromide, Magnesium Nitrate, Zinc Sulphate solutions, and aerated distil water (hydropriming) for 24 hours at 15o C. Crops were subjected to three irrigation intervals in which the irrigation was applied at 0.9, 0.7, 0.5 Epan Replenishment of evaporation. Seed priming treatments reduced the mean emergence time, promoted germination, early canopy development and flower initiation in comparison to the untreated control. Plant height, number of branches, total dry matter accumulation, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight and grain and biological yield, harvest index and irrigation water use efficiency &nbsp;increased by different priming treatments. Seed priming increased the irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) of all irrigation regimes. Grain yields linearly increased at 0.9 Epan Replenishment while maximum IWUE was achieved at 0.5 Epan Replenishment. Results suggest that the use of seed priming with either GA3 (100ppm) or Ammonium Molybdate (10-3 M) for 24 hours at low concentration can be helpful in cowpea under both optimum as well as limited water conditions.</div>

Seed priming improves irrigation water use efficiency, yield and yield components of summer cowpea under limited water conditions

<div>Background: Infestation of aquatic weeds indicates surface water pollution, thus questioning its potential use. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of water hyacinth infestation in surface water in terms of surface cover and morphological characteristics.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Surface water samples at a depth of less than 30 cm were collected from water hyacinth covered and uncovered sites and analyzed for water quality parameters such pH, TSS, DO, turbidity and EC. Water hyacinth plants were also collected using a 1 m2 quadrate to investigate the relationship between water quality and weed morphological characters. 
 
Result: The water quality was comparatively low at water hyacinth covered sites than uncovered sites for pH (7.09-7.89), TSS (0.5-1.86), DO (4.15-6.08), turbidity (5.57-25.9) and EC (91-748). Amongst, TSS (p&lt;0.05) only showed a significant difference. Hence, morphological characters, leaf length and width were significantly and positively (0.956) correlated to each other. Further turbidity and EC respectively showed positive and negative correlation to leaf length (r=0.219, r=-0.290) and leaf width (r=0.194, r=-0.257). Though water hyacinth infestation lowered the water quality, the values were within the tolerance limits for standard surface water. Therefore, the present study concluded that water hyacinth infestation did not degrade the surface water quality intensively and the surface water could be utilized for aquaculture, agriculture or recreational purposes with or without minimal treatment.</div>

Effect of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Infestation on Selected Surface Water Quality Parameters

The present investigation was carried out with the aim of determining water requirement of Murrah buffalo calves under saline water. Twenty male buffalo calves were divided into five different treatment groups (n = 4 each) with average body weight of 219.94 kg. The animals in T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 groups were offered water having total dissolved solids (TDS) 0.55, 2.57, 4.46, 6.11 and 8.78 parts per thousand, respectively for 180 days. Data regarding environmental factors (maximum ambient temperature (Tmax), relative humidity (RH), rainfall and sunshine hour), dry matter intake (DMI) and drinking water intake (DWI) of individual animals were recorded daily. Results showed that Tmax, DMI, body weight (BW), rainfall and sunshine hours were positively related (P&lt;0.001) while, relative humidity (RH) and total dissolved solids (TDS) of water were negatively correlated (P&lt;0.001) to DWI. Applying a multiple linear regression analysis to all independent variables yielded DWI prediction equation as: (DWI) (L/day) = - 7.81- 0.45 &times; TDS (parts per thousand) + 0.41 &times; Tmax (&deg;C) + 2.97 &times; DMI (kg/day) - 0.004 &times; BW (kg) with coefficient of multiple determination (R2 = 0.80), which can be useful to predict DWI of buffalo calves reared on saline water under tropical climatic conditions.