The influence of different crop establishment methods and fertilizer sources on growth attributes and yield of rice was studied during Kharif season of 2009 and 2010 on lateritic soils. The experiment was laid out in split plot design replicate thrice with five crop establishment methods (transplanting, pre-monsoon dibbling of seeds, dibbling of seeds with the onset of monsoon, transplanting of seedling by Thomba method and system of rice intensification) in main plots and three fertilizer sources (recommended dose of fertilizers-120:60:60 kg NPK ha -1 , placement of urea-DAP briquettes and placement of urea-suphala briquettes) in sub plots. From the present investigation, it can be concluded that for growing kharif rice under upland situation, crop need to be established by transplanting method and amended with urea-DAP briquettes (@ 168.75 kg ha -1 ), to obtain higher yield. However, under inadequate rainwater for puddling, Thomba method with urea-DAP briquettes (@ 168.75 kg ha -1 ) is suitable, and under labour scarcity condition, pre-monsoon dibbling of seeds with urea-DAP briquettes (@ 168.75 kg ha -1 ) is one of the alternatives to conventional transplanting method under upland conditions. Urea-DAP briquettes, crop establishment methods and rice AbstractArticle History

A field experiment was conducted on Agronomy farm, College of Agriculture, Dapoli, Maharashtra, India during kharif (June) 2015 and 2016 to study of agrometeorological indices as affected bydifferent duration rice varieties and crop establishment methods. The experiment was laid out according to split plot design with three replications. Twenty four treatment combinations comprised of four main plot treatments: Drilling, Early transplanting (15 days after sowing), Transplanting as per recommendation (21 days after sowing) and Transplanting with Thomba method (under insufficient rain water for puddling, this method usually preferred. In this case transplating has been completed without puddling. With the help ofpointed bamboo stick holes has been made and seedlings inserted into that holes) and six subplot treatments Karjat-184, Palghar-1, Karjat-2, Sahyadri-2, Karjat-3 and Karjat-7. To obtain higher yield from kharif rice, crop should to be established by transplanting method with variety Sahyadri-2 followed by Karjat-7. However, early transplanting and Thomba methods are the alternatives to conventional transplanting method. Because with Thomba method we can complete transplanting of rice even if insufficient rainwater is there for puddling and get the better yield comparatively. The highest GDD, Hydrothermal units and Helio-thermal units required by Karjat-2 variety, while higher Heat use efficiency and Helio-thermal use efficiency recorded by Sahyadri-2 variety. Rice, Crop establishment methods, varieties, agrometeorological indices

Rice is an important staple food crop of India. Several factors are responsible for reducing the yield of Kharif rice. However, weed infestation is the major threat to productivity of Kharif rice. Weeds by the virtue of their high adaptability and faster growth dominate the crop habitat and reduce the yield potential of the crop. These weeds could be controlled through various methods. Manual method is though very common but cost intensive. Herbicides when applied alone are although economical but may have limitation of resistance development and shift in weed flora etc. Therefore, presently there is a need to use high efficacy herbicides in combination coupled with broad spectrum nature to control the complex weed flora in Kharif rice.

A long-term experimental study was conducted at the research farm under All India Coordinated Research Project,Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth Parbhani, Maharashtra to assess the impact of continuous cultivationof soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in Vertisol (Typic Haplusterts) using varying levels of chemical fertilizer and manure applications on approximately 7th cycle data on soil quality indicators (physical, chemical and biological), a sustainable yield index (SYI) and a soil quality index (SQI). Application of NPK fertilizers in combination with FYM also significantly increased in benefit cost ratio, higher average grain yield of soybean and safflower and enhanced the soil quality and sustainability of the system compared to the control and plots in receipt of fertilizers. A greater SYI and SQI in the 100% NPK+FYM@ 5 Mg/ha treatment demonstrated the importance of using a chemical fertilizer in combination with FYM. Among the different nutrient management supply system, economical and more sustainable nutrient management system (NPK+FYM) could be used to monitor soil quality and getting higher productivity of soybean and safflower in a semiarid agro-ecosystem.

An experiment was conducted during 2019–20 at the Research Farm of Dr. BSKKV, Dapoli, Maharashtra to study the effect of crop residues and fertilizers on humus fractions and rice yield in Alfisols. The study was conducted on ex situ incorporation of crop residue along with fertilizers and the results indicated that application of rice straw @2.5 t/ha + Ain leaf residue @2.5 t/ha along with 100% NPK was significantly beneficial for improving the content of soil humin, humic acid, fulvic acid and humic acid : fulvic acid (HA: FA) ratio and yield of rice. Crop residue and fertilizer management significantly improved the soil humin, humic acid, fulvic acid and humic acid: fulvic acid (HA: FA) ratio. Build-up of soil humus was due to the balanced application of crop residue along with fertilizers for developing bio-stability in soil which helps maintain soil health. In contrast, the application of 50%, 75% and 100% NPK alone did not gain optimum humus content in soil and yield of rice because of unbalanced use of fertilizers. Overall improvement in soil humus and yield of rice was observed by the integrated use of crop residue along with fertilizers in Alfisols.