Search Results (25)

Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) can be managed by ischemia guide strategies or early invasive strategies. Here, we present the findings of an updated contemporary analysis regarding the use of intracoronary imaging (ICI)-guided PCI versus angiography-guided PCI and in-hospital mortality in patients with NSTEMI in the United States using the NIS database from 2016 to 2021. ICI use increased by nearly threefold between 2016 and 2021, without a significant difference in in-hospital mortality, though interestingly, mortality rates compared with angiography guidance were similar and relatively low. In this study, the use of ICI was associated with lower adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest, but with a longer length of stay and cost of hospitalization. Full article

Crop yield estimation has gained importance due to its vital significance for policymakers and decision-makers in enacting schemes, ensuring food security, and assessing crop insurance losses due to biotic and abiotic stress. This research focused on rice yield estimation at the field level in the Karimnagar district of Telangana during 2021 and 2022 by employing the leaf area index (LAI) as the primary criterion for integrating remote sensing technology and crop simulation models. Using Sentinel-2 satellite data, the rice crop was mapped with the help of ground data and machine learning algorithms, attaining an accuracy of 93.04%. Crop management data for the DSSAT tool were collected during the field visits; the model results revealed a 0.80 correlation between observed and predicted yields. Due to its strong correlation with LAI (0.82), the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was selected as the critical element for integration with the model. A spatial LAI map was generated using the linear equation developed between the NDVI and LAI. The relationship between LAI and yield was used to create a spatial yield map. The study’s findings show that assimilating remote sensing data with crop models enhances the precision of rice yield prediction for insurance companies and policy- and decision-makers. Full article

Most arid and semiarid areas are bare and greatly infested with intrusive wild species. Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) and Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense Piper.) are the supreme drought-tolerant grasses that are commonly grown in dry regions. Besides water, nitrogen (N) is a vital element limiting the growth, yield, and herbage quality of such grasses since it has key roles in physiological and biochemical functions in plants. Hence, this study aimed at assessing the performance of Buffel and Sudan grasses under nitrogen fertilization in Mandera County. This study comprised a field trial laid as a split plot in a randomized complete block design with grasses being assigned to the main plots, whereas N rates (0, 35, 70, 105, and 140 kg N ha⁻¹) occupied the subplots. Data were collected on growth parameters (plant height, leaf length, number of leaves per plant, leaf width, stem girth, and tiller number), yield parameters (shoot weight, root weight, and aboveground biomass yield—DBY), and quality attributes (acid detergent fiber—ADF, crude protein—CP, and neutral detergent fiber—NDF). Across the seasons, plant height progressively increased with increasing N rates up to a maximum of 141 and 246 cm for Buffel grass and Sudan grass, respectively, which were associated with a 105 kg N ha⁻¹ rate. Nonetheless, there was no noteworthy enhancement in plant height (142 and 246 cm) with an additional upsurge in N fertilizer rate to 140 kg N ha⁻¹ relative to the one of 105 kg N ha⁻¹. Regarding the leaf length, Sudan grass had longer and wider leaves at all treatment levels than the Buffel grass. Plant height, leaf length, width, and the number of leaves per plant increased with increasing N level up to the rate of 140 kg N ha⁻¹, though this was not statistically different from the rate of 105 kg N ha⁻¹ for both kinds of grass. The results revealed that Sudan grass contained higher crude protein than Buffel grass at all levels of treatments (10.33 and 8.80% at the rate of 105 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively). More so, crude protein content was found to be higher in plots where N application was performed than in the control plots. There were great associations between the dependent variables (DBY, ADF, NDF, and CP) and independent variables (plant height, leaf length, No. of leaves, leaf width, stem girth, and No. of tillers), with the coefficient of regression ranging from 0.56 to 0.96 for Buffel grass and 0.59 to 0.96 for Sudan grass. Findings from this study indicate that for optimal growth, yield, and nutrient content benefits, Buffel and Sudan grasses ought to be grown using nitrogen fertilizer at a 105 kg N ha⁻¹ rate. Full article

Intensive tillage coupled with imbalanced nutrient management in maize–wheat systems in low-carbon calcareous soils often results in poor productivity vis-à-vis degradation in soil health. Conservation tillage viz. permanent bed planting (PB) and zero tillage (ZT)/direct seeding with residue retention coupled with precision nutrient management might improve soil properties and yield of crops. Concerning this, a long-term experiment was conducted from 2014–2015 to 2020–2021 with a maize–wheat cropping system at TCA, Dholi farm of RPCAU, Pusa. Treatments consisted of three main plots of different tillage practices, viz. PB, ZT, and conventional tillage (CT) and three sub-plots of nutrient management options, viz. farmers’ fertilization practice (FFP), site-specific nutrient management with Nutrient Expert^® (NE) software, and GreenSeeker (GS) based nitrogen-management. From this study, it was observed that both the PB and ZT resulted in about 31–33% and 43–45% improvement in SOC and water-soluble aggregates (WSA), respectively, comparing them under CT. These two conservation tillage practices also improved the other soil bio-chemical properties. Better soil properties under PB and ZT helped in the improvement of system yield by about 13–18% comparing yield under CT. Moreover, both these tillage practices showed an additional net return of USD 330–USD 400 over CT. PB was found a bit better over ZT concerning soil properties, yield, and economics. Comparing nutrient management options, precision nutrition using NE and GS showed significant improvement in the soil bio-chemical parameters, yield, and economics of the cropping system over FFP. SSNM using NE showed slightly better results than GS. Thus, from this long-term study, it can be concluded that the permanent bed system with residue retention and precision nutrition using Nutrient Expert^® software are the best options concerning tillage and nutrient management, respectively, for improvement of the soil properties of problematic calcareous soils, thereby, enhancing the yield and economics of the maize–wheat cropping system. Full article

Rice holds key importance in food and nutritional security across the globe. Nutrient management involving rice has been a matter of interest for a long time owing to the unique production environment of rice. In this research, an artificial neural network-based prediction model was developed to understand the role of individual nutrients (N, P, K, Zn, and S) on different plant parameters (plant height, tiller number, dry matter production, leaf area index, grain yield, and straw yield) of rice. A feed-forward neural network with back-propagation training was developed using the neural network (nnet) toolbox available in Matlab. For the training of the model, data obtained from two consecutive crop seasons over two years (a total of four crops of rice) were used. Nutrients interact with each other, and the resulting effect is an outcome of such interaction; hence, understanding the role of individual nutrients under field conditions becomes difficult. In the present study, an attempt was made to understand the role of individual nutrients in achieving crop growth and yield using an artificial neural network-based prediction model. The model predicts that growth parameters such as plant height, tiller number, and leaf area index often achieve their maximum performance at below the maximum applied dose, while the maximum yield in most cases is achieved at 100% N, P, K, Zn, and S dose. In addition, the present study attempted to understand the impact of individual nutrients on both plant growth and yield in order to optimize nutrient recommendation and nutrient management, thereby minimizing environmental pollution and wastage of nutrients. Full article

Weed management has become the most important and inevitable aspect of crop management for achieving a higher rice yield. Nowadays, chemical herbicide application has become a popular practice for managing weeds in different rice cultures. However, herbicide application can have qualitative and quantitative impacts on soil microorganisms and soil enzymes, particularly in the case of new herbicide molecules and their indiscriminate use for a longer period. Further, different rice establishment methods also play a significant role in soil microbial population dynamics as well as soil biological properties. Keeping these in view, a field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Main Research Farm, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), India, during the kharif season of 2016 and 2017, on the impact of crop establishment methods and weed management practices on soil microbial and enzymatic status. The field experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications with four crop establishment methods in the main plot, viz., M₁, Direct Seeded Rice (DSR); M₂, Wet Seeded Rice (WSR); M₃,Unpuddled Transplanted Rice (NPTR); M₄, Puddled Transplanted Rice (PTR), and six weed management practices in the sub-plot, viz., W₁, Weedy check; W₂, Bensulfuron methyl 0.6% + Pretilachlor 6% (pre-emergence (PE)) 0.660 kg ha⁻¹ + Hand weeding (HW) at 30 days after sowing/transplanting (days after sowing/transplanting (DAS/T)); W₃, Bensulfuron methyl 0.6% + Pretilachlor 6% (PE) 0.495 kg ha⁻¹ + HW at 30 DAS/T; W₄, Bensulfuron methyl 0.6% + Pretilachlor 6% (PE) 0.495 kg ha⁻¹ + Bispyribac-Sodium (post-emergence(POE)) 0.025 kg ha⁻¹ at 15 DAS/T; W₅, Cono weeding (CW) at 15 DAS/T + hand weeding 30 DAS/T, and W₆, Brown manuring/Green manuring. The initial decline in the microbial population was observed due to herbicide application in NPTR and PTR up to 7 DAS/T and then it increased up to 28 DAS/T. There was a reduction in soil microbial and enzymatic status after the application of herbicides Bensulfuron methyl 0.6% + Pretilachlor 6% (PE) and Bispyribac-Sodium (POE) that again followed an upward graph with crop age. Significant variation in enzymatic activity and the microbial count was also observed among treatments involving crop establishment methods. The study revealed that improved microbial population and enzyme activity were noted in unpuddled transplanted rice under organic weed management due to favorable conditions, and chemical weed control initially affected microbial population and activities. Full article

Continuous mono-cropping of rice has resulted in decline or stagnation of yield output due to the occurrence of multiple nutrient deficiencies and worsening of soil physicochemical properties accompanying increased pressure of insect pests and diseases. The basic concept of integrated nutrient management (INM) is maintenance or adjustment of soil fertility and supply of plant nutrients to an optimum level for sustaining the desired crop productivity through optimisation of benefits from all possible sources of plant nutrients in an integrated way. Augmenting a rice-based cropping system with pulses is a prevalent and indigenous cropping system under rainfed conditions. Considering the above facts, experiments were conducted to evaluate the impacts of integrated nutrient management on productivity of aromatic rice–greengram cropping system and nutrient balance of the post-harvest soil for agricultural sustainability under rainfed conditions in two consecutive years (2017–2018 and 2018–2019) with six main plots and three subplots. The experimental findings revealed that the treatment comprised of 50% recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF) through chemicals + 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through farmyard manure (FYM) increased the plant height, tillers, dry matter accumulation, leaf area and leaf area duration, and yield parameters in short grain aromatic rice. Similarly, preceding application of 50% RDF + 50% RDN through FYM to rice and further application 75% RDF + Rhizobium+ phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) to greengram increased the growth characteristics and yield parameters—such as pods/plant, seeds/pod, grain yield, stover yield, and harvest index—in greengram. It was concluded that the treatment consisting of 50% RDF (chemical fertiliser) + 50% RDN (FYM) to rice and 75% RDF + Rhizobium + PSB to greengram increased the productivity of the rice–greengram cropping system. Furthermore, the adoption of INM has positively impacted post-harvest soil nutrient balance. Full article

Agricultural sustainability is of foremost importance for maintaining high food production. Irresponsible resource use not only negatively affects agroecology, but also reduces the economic profitability of the production system. Among different resources, soil is one of the most vital resources of agriculture. Soil fertility is the key to achieve high crop productivity. Maintaining soil fertility and soil health requires conscious management effort to avoid excessive nutrient loss, sustain organic carbon content, and minimize soil contamination. Though the use of chemical fertilizers have successfully improved crop production, its integration with organic manures and other bioinoculants helps in improving nutrient use efficiency, improves soil health and to some extent ameliorates some of the constraints associated with excessive fertilizer application. In addition to nutrient supplementation, bioinoculants have other beneficial effects such as plant growth-promoting activity, nutrient mobilization and solubilization, soil decontamination and/or detoxification, etc. During the present time, high energy based chemical inputs also caused havoc to agriculture because of the ill effects of global warming and climate change. Under the consequences of climate change, the use of bioinputs may be considered as a suitable mitigation option. Bioinoculants, as a concept, is not something new to agricultural science, however; it is one of the areas where consistent innovations have been made. Understanding the role of bioinoculants, the scope of their use, and analysing their performance in various environments are key to the successful adaptation of this technology in agriculture. Full article

Facing cold stress is amajor constraint in seedling production during the winter season as, most particularly in recent times due to uncertain climatic conditions, no sustainable technology has been reported that could be easily adopted by farmers withlimited resources. Therefore, field experiments were carried out during winter 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 at the Central Research Farm of Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India to study the growth, survival potential, yield and nutritional and biochemical properties of boro rice seedlings as influenced by two seedbed management practices viz. conventional seedbed (farmers’ practice) and improved seedbed (polythene protected with micronutrient supplementation). The major objective was to lower the nurserybed duration without compromising seedlings’ health and to studythe economic viability during the winter season. The experiment was laid out in ten experimental units and deployed anindependent-sample t-test to compare the performance of the seedlings. The microclimatic changes were also itemized from both seedbeds. The seeds sownunder improved nursery conditions resulted in better seedling emergence (~90%) and survival percentage (~85%) as compared to the conventional seedbed (~70% and 65%). Growth attributes in terms of plant height, biomass accumulation, root characteristics, tiller count, and growth rate were observed to be better from the polythene-protected nursery bed. Theimproved nursery bed accounted for 20% higher seedling count at the time of transplantation over the conventional bed. The microclimatic situation under a polythene covering was also favorable for germination and seedling growth. Maximum nutrient (N, P, and K) concentrations, as well as chlorophyll content, wererecorded from improved seedlings. Results suggested that the improved seedbed management was apotential alternative toearly embolden seedling production during the winter to avoid climatic abnormalities. Most importantly, improved seedbeds ensured a comprehensive route from germination to healthy seedling production without any failure in thesmalltime window, which involvedless input as well as cost involvement. This technique could diffusethe problem oflate sowing conditions in the rice–rice cropping system. Full article

The underground water and water storage reservoirs are rapidly depleting due to nominal recharging by the rainfalls making water a scarce resource for irrigation resulting in poor crop growth and production. Irrigation water application should focus on the proficient use of each drop of water. Water productivity (WP) in agriculture can be improved through crop diversification, proper land and water management techniques. Considering this, a field investigation was carried out during 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 to study the crop response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) + okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) system to land configurations and irrigation regimes. Three raised-sunken beds (RSB) having width (m) ratios of 1:3, 2:3, 3:3 and two irrigation schedules viz. continuous standing water (CSW) of 5 ± 2 cm depth and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) at 3 ± 1 days interval for rice in sunken bed were tested. Rice yield was more (4.36 and 4.89 Mg ha⁻¹) under CSW irrigation than AWD irrespective of raised bed width. The highest okra yield was noted by 14.09 and 15.43 Mg ha⁻¹ with AWD in 1:3 RSB systems, whereas the lowest yield was recorded in CSW 1:3 RSB systems. Rice equivalent yield (REY) was found as the maximum in AWD than CSW irrespective of raised and sunken bed configurations. The AWD in 3:3 RSB systems exhibited the highest WP of 1.02 and 1.01 kg m⁻³ during the first and second year of study, respectively. Wider RSB system of land configuration ratio of 3:3 saved about 40–45% of irrigation water. Such information will help in the planning of an innovative intercropping system of summer rice + okra in the field by changing the land configuration to the raised bed and sunken bed with the AWD irrigation system. Full article

Rice, the predominant food crop in India, is being grown traditionally with improper plant nutrient management mostly under the flooded situation. Recent advancement in research on crop science focuses on water-saving rice technologies for maximization in crop and water productivity under the backdrop of a shrinking water resource base for ensuring environmental and agricultural sustainability. Under this situation, an experiment was conducted in two consecutive years in a split-plot design keeping rice cultivation methodologies, viz., aerobic culture, System of Rice Intensification (SRI), and conventional flooded culture in main plots and integrated plant nutrient management (INM) treatments in sub-plots. The experiment was aimed at understanding the effects of different rice production systems and INM on nutrient content, uptake, and use efficiency. The change in soil quality parameters was also studied to understand the impact of crop establishment methods (CEM) and INM options. Significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in nutrient uptake and use efficiency was observed under aerobic culture compared to SRI and flooded method, although aerobic culture showed the highest physiological nitrogen use efficiency. Post-harvest available Fe status was significantly lower in aerobic rice (mean 10.39 ppm) compared to other crop establishment technologies; however, Zn status was higher in aerobic rice over the flooded situation. Although available potassium was not affected due to rice cultivation methods, available nitrogen and phosphorus status were influenced remarkably. Soil microbial quality was improved in aerobic rice in comparison to flooded rice. SRI proved to be the most efficient rice establishment method for enhancement in nutrient uptake, use efficiency, and enrichment of soil chemical and microbiological quality. Irrespective of crop culture, integrated plant nutrition in rice improved the nutrient uptake, use efficiency, and soil quality parameters. The study revealed that, under the alluvial soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plains of Eastern India, SRI can be considered as a water-saving rice production method. The method can also improve nutrient uptake, efficiency, and soil quality parameters if proper INM is adopted. Full article

In the eastern part of India, rice as the most vital staple food crop supports as well the livelihood security of a vast population. Rice is mostly grown under conventional flooded culture without proper nutrient management. Crop performance, water productivity and economic profitability of rice cultivation need to be assessed under water-saving rice production methodologies with proper integrated plant nutrient management strategies using locally available low-cost nutrient sources. A field trial was conducted at the Adaptive Research Farm, Polba (58.57 m msl), Agriculture Department, West Bengal, India, during the rainy/wet seasons of 2014 and 2015 under aerobic culture, the system of rice intensification (SRI) and conventional flooded culture. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of integrated plant nutrition and water-saving rice production methodologies on the crop performance and water productivity of rice and analyse the economic profitability of rice under different nutritional management and crop production methods such as aerobic culture, conventional flooded and SRI with an objective of sustainability in rice cultivation in the agroclimatic region. The results revealed that crop productivity significantly (p ≤ 0.05) varied from 4.68 t ha⁻¹ (average yield recorded under aerobic culture) to 6.21 t ha⁻¹ (average yield as achieved under SRI). Cultivation of rice under aerobic and conventional culture resulted in 24.6% and 20.9% yield reduction respectively as compared to SRI. Integrating 75% of the recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through chemicals with 25% RDN from vermicompost resulted in maximum crop productivity irrespective of crop culture. Aerobic rice culture registered maximum water economy in terms of both irrigation water productivity and total productivity. The study concludes that, for maximization of economic profitability, value cost ratio and partial factor productivity of nutrients the SRI method can be adopted along with integrated nutrient management (75% of RDN through chemicals with 25% RDN from vermicompost) in the lower Indo-Gangetic Plain Zone (IGPZ) of West Bengal, India. Full article

Drought and salinity are the major environmental abiotic stresses that negatively impact crop development and yield. To improve yields under abiotic stress conditions, drought- and salinity-tolerant crops are key to support world crop production and mitigate the demand of the growing world population. Nevertheless, plant responses to abiotic stresses are highly complex and controlled by networks of genetic and ecological factors that are the main targets of crop breeding programs. Several genomics strategies are employed to improve crop productivity under abiotic stress conditions, but traditional techniques are not sufficient to prevent stress-related losses in productivity. Within the last decade, modern genomics studies have advanced our capabilities of improving crop genetics, especially those traits relevant to abiotic stress management. This review provided updated and comprehensive knowledge concerning all possible combinations of advanced genomics tools and the gene regulatory network of reactive oxygen species homeostasis for the appropriate planning of future breeding programs, which will assist sustainable crop production under salinity and drought conditions. Full article

Conservation agriculture (CA) based practices are gaining popularity in smallholder farming systems recently because they ensure soil quality and soil health, and they also reduce the total cultivation costs. However, weeds are a major hinderance to achieving the desired yield of crops in cereal-based cropping systems under CA-based practices. Proper weed management is a big challenge for crop growers to reduce the labor demand and cost of production. Considering these burning issues, a field study was done with a CA-based rice–wheat–mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) cropping pattern in two consecutive years (2017–2018 and 2018–2019). The study aimed to understand the types and distribution of weeds in non-puddled rice fields and also in strip-planted wheat fields in sandy loam textured soil with low organic matter (0.87%) content. Furthermore, we also tried to discover the most economic and effective ways to manage weeds in both cereals of the cropping pattern. The performance of two herbicides—pendimethalin (as pre-emergence) and carfentrazone–ethyl + isoproturon (as post-emergence)—for strip-planted wheat and three herbicides—two pre-emergence herbicides pretilachlor and pyrazosulfuron–ethyl as well as one post-emergence herbicide, bispyribac–sodium—for non-puddled rainy season rice were evaluated, where the ‘weedy check’ and ‘weed free’ treatments were considered as a control. In a two-year field experiment, eight weed species in the strip-planted wheat field during the first year and fourteen species in the second year were identified. Among them, three grasses such as Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. and Echinochloa colona (L.) Link and one broadleaf weed Physalis heterophylla (L.) Nees, were found to the dominant in both years. During the first season, the dominant weed species in strip-planted wheat was Physalis heterophylla (L.); Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop was dominant in the second year. In a non-puddled field of rainy season rice, eleven weed species were found in the first year and twelve species were found in the second year. Among the weed species, four types of grasses (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Leptochloa chinensis (L.) Nees, Echinochloa colona (L.) Link and Leersia hexandra (Sw.), one sedge (Fimbristylis miliacea (L.) Vahl) and four broadleaf weed species (Ludwigia decurrens (Walter), Jussiaea repens (L.), Enhydra fluctuans (Lour) and Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br. ex DC.) were found the common in both years. The most dominant weed in non-puddled rainy season rice was Leptochloa chinensis (L.) for the first year and Alternanthera sessilis (L.) for the second year. The study revealed that the sequential application of pendimethalin as pre-emergence treatment followed by carfentrazone–ethyl + isoproturon as post-emergence treatment were most effective and economically viable for weed control in strip-till wheat because they achieved the highest grain and straw yields. For weed management in non-puddled rainy season rice, the herbicide pyrazosulfuron–ethyl applied as pre-emergence treatment and bispyribac–sodium as the post-emergence application were found to be the most effective combination to obtain a desirable yield. Full article

Rice is the lifeline for more than half of the world population, and in India, in view of its huge demand in the country, farmers adopt a rice–rice cropping system where the irrigation facility is available. As rice is a nutrient-exhausting crop, sustainable productivity of rice–rice cropping system greatly depends on appropriate nutrient management in accordance with the inherent soil fertility. The application of an ample dose of fertilizer is the key factor for maintaining sustainable rice yields and nutrient balance of the soil. Considering the above facts, an experiment was conducted on nutrient management in a rice–rice cropping system at the university farm of Visva-Bharati, situated in a sub-tropical climate under the red and lateritic belt of the western part of West Bengal, India, during two consecutive years (2014–2016). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Completely Block Design with 12 treatments and three replications, with different rates of N:P:K:Zn:S application in both of the growing seasons, namely, kharif and Boro. The recommended (ample) dose of nutrients was 80:40:40:25:20 and 120:60:60:25:20 kg ha⁻¹ of N:P₂O₅:K₂O:Zn:S in the Kharif and Boro season, respectively. A high yielding variety, named MTU 7029, and a hybrid, Arize 6444 GOLD, were taken in the Kharif and Boro seasons, respectively. The results clearly indicated that the application of a recommended dose of nutrients showed its superiority over the control (no fertilizer application) in the expression of growth characters, yield attributes, yields, and nutrient uptake of Kharif as well as Boro rice. Out of the all treatments, the best result was found in the treatment where the ample dose of nutrients was applied, resulting in maximum grain yield in both the Kharif (5.6 t ha⁻¹) and Boro (6.6 t ha⁻¹) season. The corresponding yield attributes for the same treatment in the Kharif (panicles m⁻²: 247.9; grains panicle⁻¹: 132.0; spikelets panicle⁻¹: 149.6; test weight: 23.8 g; and panicle length: 30.6 cm) and Boro (panicles m⁻²: 281.6; grains panicle⁻¹: 142.7; spikelets panicle⁻¹: 157.2; test weight: 24.8 g; and panicle length: 32.8 cm) season explained the maximum yield in this treatment. Further, a reduction or omission of individual nutrients adversely impacted on the above traits and resulted in a negative balance of the respective nutrients. The study concluded that the application of a recommended dose of nutrients was essential for proper nutrient balance and sustainable yields in the rice–rice cropping system. Full article