• To study the effect of continuous application of plant nutrients, singly and in combination, in organic and inorganic forms including secondary and micronutrient elements (as per the need) on crop yield, nutrient composition and uptake in multiple cropping systems.
• To study the effect of application of secondary and micronutrients (as per the need) on crop yield and also on the assessment of the need for these elements under an intensive cropping programme.
• To work out the amount of nutrient removal by the crops.
• To monitor the changes in soil properties as a result of continuous manuring and cropping with respect to the physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of the soil in relation to its productivity.
• To investigate the effect of intensive use of biocidal chemicals (weedicides and pesticides) on the buildup of residues and soil productivity.
• To make an assessment of the incidence of soil borne diseases and changes in pests and pathogens under the proposed manuring and cropping programme.
• To identify soil indicator and for assessing soil quality and impact of changing climate on soil productivity.
• Impact of changing climate on soil health.

v  Effect of long term application of fertilizers on finger millet productivity, nutrient uptake and sustainability in finger millet – maize cropping sequence

v  Effect of manuring on finger millet productivity and nutrient uptake in finger millet – maize cropping sequence after superimposition in selected treatments of long term fertilizer experiment

v  Effect of long term application of fertilizers on maize productivity, nutrient uptake and sustainability in finger millet – maize cropping sequence

v  Effect of manuring on maize productivity, nutrient uptake, changes in soil quality in finger millet – maize cropping sequence after superimposition in selected treatments of long term fertilizer experiment.

v  Effect of long term application of fertilizers manures on nutritional quality of finger millet

(Varieties released /Technologies developed / Patents developed/ Commercialized etc…)

• Incorporation of farm yard manure along with optimal dose of NPK improved soil physical properties like bulk density, total porosity and hydraulic conductivity   compared to inorganic fertilizer alone.

• The practice of applying only fertilizers has resulted in considerable drop down in soil pH, especially with higher levels of NPK and N alone.

• Application of FYM as soil amendment is more effective than lime as former has not only moderating effect but also supplies nutrients like N, P, K and other micronutrients.

• Build up in available P status of soil was tremendous in the plots treated with 100% P and in super optimal dose (150% P₂O₅).

• Reduction of P dose to half in soils where P is accumulated due to continuous use did not have any adverse effect on productivity of both the crops.

• Available S content in soil markedly increased when SSP fertilizer was given as P source but decreased when treated with DAP.Sulfur deficiency was observed due to continuous application DAP fertilizer as P source.

• So far deficiency of micro nutrients was not experienced as the balanced application of nutrient using organic manure is taking care of micro nutrient cations by mobilization from the reserve source during decomposition of residual biomass added to soil.

• Use of balanced chemical fertilizer did not deteriorate organic carbon of soil.

• The minimum amount (threshold) of carbon required to maintain initial carbon level in soil is dependent on initial content of carbon in soil and climate and it was found to be 3600 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 .

• The sustainable yield index (SYI) of finger millet-maize crops showed the trend in the order of NPK+FYM+lime> 150% NPK > 100% NPK > 100% NP > 100% N > control.

• Balanced and integrated use of nutrient is the only option to enhance the nutrient use efficiency which in turn would curtail expenditure on fertilizer and reduce the cost of production.

• Balanced and integrated use of nutrient improved the microbiological population and their activity in soil. Contrary to this, application of nutrient in imbalanced way had adverse effect on microbial count and activity.

• Soil pH, K, Ca, Mg and microbial biomass carbon are important soil indicators to be taken care of for improving sol quality.

• Balanced nutrient application recorded higher SQI values than imbalanced treatments.

v  Analytical instruments for soil and plant analysis viz., pH meter, EC bridge, UV-VIS spectro photometer, Flame photometer, Kjeldahl digestion and distillation apparatus, Yodar apparatus, Fume hood cupboard, etc

v  Conducting front line demonstrations on integrated nutrient management in different crops under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) of Government of India