Land terracing is a vital means to minimize soil erosion in steep slopes of north eastern region of India. Monocropping of turmeric is one of the main production systems in these terraces, resulting in poor land productivity and profitability. Hence, a fixed plot field experiment was undertaken during five consecutive years (2012–17) at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya by involving five vertical cropping combinations, viz. turmeric (Curcuma longa)+cucumber (Cucumis sativus), turmeric+bottlegourd (Lagenaria siceraria), turmeric+sponge gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca), turmeric+squash (Sechium edule) and turmeric sole (open cultivation) to find out the best cucurbits for vertical integration with turmeric for efficient utilization of natural resources and profit maximization. Results revealed that integration of bottle gourd with turmeric in vertical fashion recorded the maximum system productivity (33.94 t/ha), profitability (` 1308 ha/day) and B:C ratio (3.37). Over all, vertical integration of cucurbits increased 38.52% yield of turmeric over open cultivation. Maximum enhancement in soil organic carbon (SOC) (2.18%), available N (241 kg/ha), P (22.2 kg/ha) and K (194.7 kg/ha) were recorded when squash was integrated with turmeric followed by turmeric + bottlegourd vertical cropping system. Integration of cucurbits with turmeric improves soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) level by 9.85% over the open cultivation of turmeric in dry terraces. Hence, vertical integration of cucurbits with turmeric not only enhances the system productivity and monetary returns of dry terraces but also improves the soil fertility status over open cultivation of turmeric.

A Crop coefficient (k c) was determined for Capsicum annumm L. (hot pepper) with the help of UMS-GmBH cylindrical field lysimeter of 30 cm diameter and 120 cm deep and Penman-Monteith FAO-56 model. Penman-Monteith model is the universally adopted standard model for estimation of reference evapo-transpiration (ET 0) based on local weather parameters. Eight other models viz. Modified Penman Method, Hargreaves equation, Samini Hargreaves equation, Thorthwaite equation, Solar Radiation Method, Net Radiation Method, Blaney-Criddle Method and Radiation Method were also used for estimation of ET 0 and compared with Penman-Monteith model to find out the accuracy of prediction with limited weather parameters. Scatter plot and paired t-test were used for comparison. Out of all these models, Blaney-Criddle Method was found to yield similar results as given by Penman-Monteith model. The values of crop evapo-transpiration (ET c) were varying from 1.11 mm d-1 to 3.12 mm d-1. k c is the ratio of ET c to ET 0. The highest kc value was obtained during the maximum vegetative growth in 8th week after transplantation. The crop-coefficients for three growth stages viz. initial, mid and maturity were found to be 0.33, 0.64 and 0.30, respectively.

The water requirement and crop evapotranspiration (ETc)is determined using reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and crop-coefficient (kc). Numerous models are available for estimation of ET0,among which Penman-Monteith (FAO-56) model is considered to be the most accurate and universally acceptable. In present study eight models for estimation of ET0viz. Modified Penman method, Hargreaves equation, Samani-Hargreaves equation, Thornthwaite equation, Solar radiation method, Net radiation method, Blaney-Criddle method and Radiation method were compared with Penman-Monteith model to find out the accuracy of prediction with limited weather parameters. Among these, Net radiation and Solar radiation models were found to yield relatively closer values. A field experiment was also conducted withfrench bean (Phesiolus vulgaris.) crop in UMS-GmbH cylindrical field lysimeter of 30 cm diameter and 120 cm deep for determination of crop coefficient taking Penman-Monteith FAO-56 model as the base model for ET0 estimation. The values of ETc as determined in field lysimeter varied from 3.80 mm-d-1 to 5.89 mm-d-1. The kc for initial, mid and maturity were found to be 0.45, 1.01 and 0.39, respectively.

Crop coefficients (kc) was determined for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) with the help of UMS-GmBH cylindrical field lysimeter of 30 cm diameter and 120 cm deep and Penman-Monteith FAO-56 model. Eight other models viz. Modified Penman Method, Hargreaves equation, Samani-Hargreaves equation, Thornthwaite equation, Solar Radiation Method, Net Radiation Method, Blaney-Criddle Method and Radiation Method were also used for estimation of ET0­ and compared with Penman-Monteith model to find out the accuracy of prediction with limited weather parameters. Scatter plot and paired t-test were used for comparison. Out of all these models, Blaney-Criddle method, Solar and Net Radiation method were found to yield similar results as given by Penman-Monteith model. The values of crop evapo-transpiration (ETc) were varying from 2.54 mm d-1 to 6.70 mm d-1. The crop-coefficients (kc) for three growth stages of tomato viz., initial, mid and maturity were found to be 0.55, 1.07 and 0.78, respectively.

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of various nutrient sources and lime on nutrient availability and soil enzymatic activities in upland rice in North Eastern Himalayan region, Meghalaya. The experiment was laid out in FRBD (Factorial Randomized Block Design), with three replications and twelve treatment combinations (Control, 100% RDN through inorganic means, 100%RDN through FYM, 50%RDN through FYM+50%RDN through Vermicompost (VC), 50%RDN though FYM+50%RDN through Poultry manures (PM), 50%RDN though FYM+50%RDN through Pig Manures (SM), each treatment alternatively supplemented with lime @ 400 kg/ha). Available N, P, K, Fe, Zn were significantly higher in 50% FYM + 50% SM followed by 50% FYM + 50% PM over control. Enzyme activities as observed for dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate and soil microbial biomass carbon were significantly higher by 78.6%, 47.0% and 44.5% in 50% FYM + 50% SM at harvest. Urease enzyme activity was highest in 100% inorganic at flowering. The increase in enzyme activity due to liming was not found.