In India, the rice-based cropping system is a major food production system with rice as the first food crop. The cereal-based cropping system is low-yielding and highly nutrient exhaustive resulting in the declining of soil fertility. Summer/pre kharif fallowing leaves on the land fallow for entire season and production of the cropping system is declined. Hence, crops that can improve the fertility status should be included in the cropping system. Development of short duration thermal insensitive rice varieties has encouraged multiple cropping involving a wide range of crops. Diversification of rice-based cropping systems with inclusion of pulses/legumes and oilseeds in summer fallows is one of the options for horizontal expansion, as they are known to improve soil organic matter through biological nitrogen fixation, root exudates, leaf shedding and higher below ground biomass. The strategy for higher yields in the cropping system should be formulated using the combined application of organics, inorganics and biofertilizers coupled with the inclusion of crops in summer fallows for sustainable yields and preservation of soil health.

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Baby corn (Zea mays L.) is a short duration crop, relatively new introduction in India and a potential option for raising farmer’s income being a high value crop. This crop may open new alternatives since fits well in the cropping systems and grown year round in a wide range of climatic conditions. Production technologies of baby corn differ from maize thus, development and standardization of location specific agro-techniques are required before popularization among the farmers. Nitrogen (N) deficiency is a wide spread phenomenon in Indian soils and its proper management is of enormous significance from economic and environmental point of view. Efficient utilization depends on the right time, method and optimum N application synchronizing with the crop demands. Studies so far suggest N application in variable rates and proportions for different agro-ecological zones. Yield increases with N rates up to certain level but optimum economic N dose is found independent of plant densities. Baby corn-legume intercropping may be a viable option to improve N-fixation and system productivity. More studies needed on N management in baby corn based cropping systems. Integrated nutrient management (INM) practice should be adopted as core strategy for sustainability and reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers. Combined approach (soil application + foliar spray) enhances yield and quality in winter baby corn. Concentration and timing of urea foliar spray are two crucial factors to harness the desired benefit. Scope to harvest combined product (baby corn + green / mature cob) and its interaction with N may be explored to provide more flexibility to the farmers. Optimization of N quantities depends on season and location. Site specific nitrogen management (SSNM) approach can address the spatial and temporal variations for efficient N-management. However, cost effective and user’s friendly precision tools may be a viable option considering the real farm situations.

A 2-year study conducted to determine the effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and quality of basmati rice varieties in non-traditional area with 54 plots in split plot design. Variety HUBR 10-9 produced 18.8% higher mean grain yield and superior quality parameters than HUBR 2-1. Mean milling, head rice recovery, amylose content and alkali digestion value noted higher with HUBR 10-9 by 4.1%, 4.1%, 8.5% and 15.1% over HUBR 2-1, respectively. Addition of 75% recommended dose of fertilizers with 25% recommended dose of nitrogen as farmyard manure produced higher mean values by 3.1%, 4.2% and 4.0% for hulling, milling and head rice recovery respectively over 100% recommended dose applied as inorganic sources. Combined use of bio-inoculants (blue green algae plus Azospirillum) exhibited higher values for yield and quality parameters. HUBR 10-9 be grown using 75% recommended dose of fertilizers with 25% nitrogen as farmyard manure and blue green algae plus Azospirillum for enhancement in yield and quality in non-traditional areas of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Further investigation required under diverse conditions.