Volume 30, Number 2 (September, 2005)

ABSTRACT

Field experiment was conducted for three years (1998 to 2000) to evaluate the effect of inorganic fertilizers with and without organic manure on rice. The results revealed increase in panicle number by 29.3 and 47% under recommended fertilizer+2.5 t/ha FYM and 200% fertilizer level, respectively, over control. Panicle weight was maximum and 46% higher under 150% fertilizer level than under the control. On overall mean basis, 100, 150 and 200% fertilizer levels brought increments of 50.4, 53.8 and 54.9% in the grain yield of rice in comparison to the control. Likewise overall straw yield of rice increased by 76.9, 91.2 and 95.8% with application of 100, 150 and 200% fertility levels in comparison to absolute control. Addition of organic manure had no marked effect on grain and straw yields of rice.

ABSTRACT

Due to ever-increasing population pressure, current wheat productivity of wheat needs to be increased immediately. Furrow irrigated raised bed (FIRB) tillage system offers better agronomic management of wheat crop, although the effectiveness of this system under Indian condition has not been well examined. Performances of 20 wheat genotypes were, therefore, compared under both conventional surface sowing system and FIRB sowing system for two consecutive years and the level of genotype by environment interaction was tested using AMMI model. Results indicated that wheat genotypes thrived better under FIRB system than conventional system. Interaction difference due to systems was higher than that of seasons. A sizable portion of the improvement in mean yield was contributed by genotype x environment interaction. Specific adoption of FIRB system and evaluation of breeding materials under this system were therefore recommended for better wheat productivity.

ABSTRACT

Sorghum is an important cereal crop of India as well as in Maharashtra state. The figures of area and production in the state show that the area under kharif sorghum is reducing day by day. The area under sorghum crop was found to be decreased by 26.48% during 1998-99 to 2001-02. This was due to more market price for soybean, sunflower, cotton as well as the damage to sorghum crop due to rainfall at the time of harvesting (99.33%), deterioration of grain quality due to grain mold (98.66%) and less demand for consumption purpose (97.33%). The non-availability of storage facilities in the village, less favourable policies of government for purchasing of sorghum and continuous growing of sorghum causing loss in soil fertility were some other important reasons expressed by farmers behind reduction in area under sorghum crop.

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted during kharif 2000 and 2001 to study the growth pattern, dry matter partitioning and yield performance of six HPS II lines of groundnut alongwith BAU 13 and JL 24 as local check under the mid altitude (950 m MSL) acid alfisols. Results revealed that all the HPS II lines produced significantly higher number of branches/plant and biomass/plant compared to JL 24. Significantly higher amount of dry matter accumulation was observed in shoot and pods of all the bold seeded varieties as compared to JL 24 during both the years. Among the bold seeded varieties, HPS II 9705 accumulated maximum dry matter in pod but HPS II 9701 was found to accumulate maximum dry matter in shoot. Percentage of dry matter partitioning was found to be more towards the pod in JL 24, HPS II 9703 and HPS II 9705 as compared to shoot. However, percentage of dry matter partitioning towards the pod was found maximum in JL 24. The highest pod yield/plant and shelling percentage (77.0%) were recorded with HPS II 9705. Pooled data on pod and kernel yield revealed that variety HPS II 9703 registered significantly higher pod yield (24.6 q/ha) but remained at par with HPS II 9705 (24.1 q/ha). HPS II 9705 recorded significantly higher kernel yield (18.7 q/ha) and remained at par with HPS II 9703 (18.4 q/ha).

ABSTRACT

Soil samples (0-0.15 m) representing five different soil series of the Terai region of West Bengal were collected to study the soil potassium release characteristics, by evaluating its different forms (exchangeable, non-exchangeable and water soluble) and studying the Q/I parameters, namely, equilibrium activity ratio (ARek), potential buffering capacity (PBCk) and labile potassium (KL). A positive correlation (0.70) was observed between the water soluble and exchangeable potassium. Application of K-fertilizer may be ascertained by the wide range of values of PBCk of the soils under study. KL values followed a trend similar to that of K0. The free-energy change (DG°) of all the soils showed the spontaneity of the reaction of the K-dynamics.

ABSTRACT

A field study was conducted during two growing seasons at Makurdi, in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria, to determine the herbicidal effects of trifluralin (2, 6-dinitro-N, N-dipropy1-4-trifluoromethylaniline), linuron (N-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl) -N-methoxy-N-methylurea), chloramben (3 amino-2, 5-dichlorobenzoic acid) and terbutryne (2, methylthio, 4-(ethylamino), 6-(tertbultylamino-S-triazine) on growth and nodulation of two varieties (NSK-1 and NSK-2) of Kerstings groundnut (Kerstingiella geocarpa Harms.). Both linuron and chloramben at 0.75 and 1.50 kg a. i./ha was significant for reduction of weed growth, increment of nodule efficiency and enhancement of higher leaf area expansion at 75 days after planting (DAP) and this superiority in growth exhibited at this stage influenced significantly seed yield in Kerstings groundnut than other herbicide treatments. Kerstings groundnut treated with linuron and chloramben deployed a greater portion of assimilates to the reproductive parts. Chloramben at 1.50 kg a. i./ha which had no adverse effect on total number of nodules in NSK-1 variety significantly inhibited this parameter in NSK-2 variety. Similarly, trifluralin at 1.50 kg a. i./ha which caused the highest significant deterioration of nodule efficiency in NSK-2 variety had no adverse effect on this parameter in NSK-1 variety. There was tendency for NSK-2 variety to accumulate more dry weight than NSK-1 variety under the influence of the same herbicides. Thus, herbicidal influence on parameters of nodulation and growth varied with herbicide type, concentration and varietal differences. The study revealed that linuron and chloramben herbicides were beneficial to growth (leaf area expansion) and nodulation (nodule efficiency) in Kerstings groundnut. Linuron at 0.75 kg a. i./ha caused an average seed yield gain of 47% in NSK-1 and 45% in NSK-2 varieties compared with the controlled no herbicide treatment.

ABSTRACT

Field experiment was conducted during 1999-2000 and 2000-01 at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India to study the optimum requirement of nitrogen and phosphorus for better flower production in chrysanthemum cv. Flirt. Four levels of nitrogen (0, 10, 20 and 30 g m-2) and three levels of phosphorus (0, 10 and 20 g P2O5 m-2) alongwith common dose of potassium @ 20 g m-2 and 5 kg FYM per metre square were applied in a randomized factorial block design with three replications. Application of nitrogen and phosphorus each @ 20 g m-2 significantly improved the flowering (days to bud initiation, days to first flowering, duration of flowering and size of flower) and yield parameters (number of flowers/plant, fresh weight of flower and flower yield t/ha) of chrysanthemum.

ABSTRACT

In a field experiment, the effect of varying levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was studied in bottle gourd cv. Arka Bahar. Nitrogen significantly affected the dry matter accumulation in vine, fruit, leaf, root and nitrogen accumulation in leaf. Phosphorus also showed positive influence on dry matter accumulation in vine, fruit, leaf and root, whereas potassium application had no significant effect on various characters. Application of 120 : 100 : 30 kg NPK ha-1, respectively, recorded the highest yield and appeared to be optimum fertilizer dose under southern dry region of Karnataka to bottle gourd cv. Arka Bahar.

ABSTRACT

The field experiments with object to find out suitable combination of N, P and K for fruit characters and NPK uptake by plant of cucumber cv. Poinsette were carried out during kharif seasons of 2001 and 2002. Effect of varying levels of nitrogen was found to be significant on fruit weight, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit volume, flesh thickness of fruit and NPK uptake by plant during both the years. Application of various levels of phosphorus also had positive influence on fruit length, fruit volume and NPK uptake by plant. Whereas application of potassium levels had no significant effect on fruit characters and uptake of P and K by plant. But there was significant effect on N uptake by plant of cucumber during both the years.

ABSTRACT

Eight local snapmelon genotypes were grown with three different sowing dates (22 November 2000; 22 January 2001 and 22 March 2001) to compare yield potentials of the genotypes available in West Bengal and to find out best sowing time for commercial cultivation of snapmelon in the alluvial zone of West Bengal. Genotype V4 (IC-102K-Bh) produced the maximum yield of 103.68 q/ha followed by V1 (IC-K2M-T-1), which produced yield of 91.61 q/ha. Among the sowing times, 22 January sowing produced the maximum yield of 82.26 q/ha, which was statistically significant over all dates of sowing.

ABSTRACT

Heterosis in the F1 hybrids between eight winter wheats and three diverse testers of spring wheat was determined for grain yield and 10 other traits. Six crosses WW 6 x HPW 152, WW 11 x HPW 147, WW 11 x HPW 114, WW 17 x HPW 147, WW 21 x HPW 152 and WW 21 x HPW 114 showed significant economic heterosis over the standard variety HS 277 and over the better parent for grain yield and some other traits, whereas the cross WW 2 x HPW 147 showed high heterosis over the standard check only. The cross exhibiting significant heterosis over the better parent for grain yield and yield attributing traits were WW 1 x HPW 152, WW 6 x HPW 114, WW 11 x HPW 152 and WW 17 x HPW 114. These crosses will be able to throw more desirable recombinants in comparison to other combinations.

ABSTRACT

Twenty-one genotypes of aromatic rice were grouped into six clusters for different characters. The genotypes of one cluster indicated overall genetic similarity among them. The inter-cluster distance ranged from 0.00 for clusters IV, V and VI to 40.21 for cluster III. The inter-cluster distance was observed to be highest between clusters II and III, indicating that genotypes of these two clusters were genetically more diverse. Number of grains/panicle, grain yield/plant, days to 50% flowering, leaf length and leaf width showed high per cent contribution towards total genetic divergence.

ABSTRACT

The mean values of number of filled grains per panicle, spikelet fertility and grain yield of P1, P2, F1, F2, B1 and B2 of four cross combinations viz., IR 58025A/IR 65515-47-2-1-19, IR 58025A/TNAU 94241, IR 58025 A/TANU 841434 and IR 69616A/IR 65515-47-2-1-19 were subjected to genetic analysis through generation mean analysis. The simple additive-dominance model was inadequate for number of filled grains per panicle, spikelet fertility and grain yield per plant in all crosses indicated the environment of non-allelic interaction. Duplicate epistasis was observed in all the crosses for number of filled grains per panicle. The non-allelic interactions of additive x additive and dominanace x dominance were positive and significant for grain yield in IR 58025A/TANU 841434. Hence, it was desirable to go for reciprocal recurrent selection. The cross IR 58025A/TNAU 94241 showed complementary epistasis and other crosses exhibited duplicate epistasis for grain yield.

ABSTRACT

To assess the nature and magnitude of association between grain yield and its component characters of wide compatible gene involving inter sub-specific rice hybrids, a study was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam. Most of the characters studied (number of tillers per plant, panicle length, pollen fertility, grains per panicle and 100-grain weight) had exhibited positive correlation with grain yield at both phenotypic as well as genotypic levels. The results revealed that the direct selection for the above mentioned traits can improve the grain yield in wide compatible gene involving inter sub-specific rice hybrids.

ABSTRACT

Genetic variability and heritability of different characters were studied using 114 genotypes and three checks. The genotypes showed wide range of variation for all the characters. High coefficients of variation for seedling dry weight followed by number of spikelets per panicle, number of filled grains per panicle and biological yield. High values of heritability coupled with high genetic advance as % of mean were observed for the characters total number of tillers per plant, productive tillers per plant, number of spikelets per panicle, number of filled grains per panicle, plant yield, biological yield, harvest index and seedling vigour index.

ABSTRACT

Corrleation and path analysis were carried out for 11 characters in 30 genotypes of rice comprising 16 local varieties and 14 high yielding varieties/advanced lines under two sowing dates. The grain yield per plant was positively and significantly correlated with grain yield per panicle and showed significant negative correlation with plant height, panicle number per plant and chaffy grain number per panicle. The highest positive direct effect on grain yield per plant was recorded for grain yield per panicle followed by secondary branch number per panicle and plant height under both the environments. Chaffy grain number per panicle showed the highest negative direct effect on grain yield per plant followed by panicle number per plant, days to 50% flowering, primary branch number per panicle and 1000-grain weight. The characters filled grain number per panicle, primary branch number per panicle and 1000-grain weight showed highest indirect effects on grain yield per plant.

ABSTRACT

Combining ability for yield and its related traits was studied in maize involving 12 x 12 half diallel set and three checks (commercial hybrids) at two climatically diverse locations. Both the general and specific combining ability effects were significant for all the traits at both the locations. Preponderance of additive gene effects was important in the expression of all the traits studied. Among the parents P4, P7 and P10 at Palampur and P4, P7 and P11 at Bajaura were good general combiners for grain yield and related traits which can be used as the potential parents for improving/developing heterotic pool/population in diverse agroclimatic conditions. Hybrids P5 x P12 and P3 x P10 need further extensive testing at different diverse locations for its suitability to sustainable high yields under low and high rainfall conditions. Whereas hybrids P2 x P7, P1 x P11 and P4 x P10 should be evaluated at various locations similar to Palampur and hybrids P4 x P9, P6 x P7 and P4 x P12 need evaluation at various locations similar to Bajaura.

ABSTRACT

Correlation and path coefficient analysis was performed among 50 genotypes of finger millet. The grain yield showed positive and significant genotypic correlation with number of productive tillers and culm thickness. Number of productive tillers had high positive direct effect and culm thickness and number of leaves had moderate direct effect on grain yield. Finger length had high indirect effect on grain yield through number of leaves and days to 50% flowering.

ABSTRACT

Combining ability studies in F2 generation of a 6 x 6 diallel cross in blackgram revealed significant mean squares for both general and specific combining ability for all the traits. In general, sca variance was higher in magnitude, suggesting the preponderance of non-additive gene action for all the traits. Three parents viz., K-4686, BGP-69 and PLU-460 were found to be good general combiners for most of the traits and crosses PLU-460 x BGP-69 and HPU-7 x PLU-710 were identified as good specific combinations for yield enhancement in blackgram.

ABSTRACT

Pre-soaked (11 h) seeds of mungbean, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek cv. Pusa-9072 were treated with five doses of ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) at 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0% for 4 h under dark. An aliquot of 60 seeds was dipped in sterile ddH2O for 4 h to serve as the control. Studies on germination and seedling parameters were conducted in a laboratory experiment following complete randomized block design replicated thrice. LD50 and LD100 based on germination and normal seedling were computed to be 0.66 and 1.35, and 0.78 and 87.4%, respectively. All the germination and seedling parameters were affected adversely due to mutagenic treatment. Severe reduction in germination, frequency of normal seedlings, reduction in plumule to radicle length and physiological injuries of radicles indicated effective mutagenesis.

ABSTRACT

Poor seedling vigour and poor stands are in general problems in the efficient production of sunflower. A study conducted on the evaluation of 16 sunflower hybrids and 23 sunflower genotypes indicated that there existed large genotypic variability in seed vigour and seedling vigour traits both among the hybrids and the genotypes. The seed vigour (as measured by germination count on 4th day), final germination count and fresh weight showed high heritability percentage indicating that there was a great scope in utilising these traits in improving seed and seedling vigour in sunflower. In general, the seed and seedling vigour of the hybrids were lower than those of the genotypes. Some sunflower genotypes with high seed vigour (with germination percentage of more than 90) having excellent seed vigour were selected, which could be utilized in breeding for genetic improvement of seed vigour of the hybrids having poor vigour. It is suggested that the improvement of seed vigour of the hybrids having poor vigour. It was suggested that the improvement of seed and seedling vigour should be given priority in the breeding programme of sunflower.

ABSTRACT

The analyses of variances indicated that 21 genotypes differed among themselves for all the 11 characters studied. The genotypes viz., SI 1260, IS 366 and Nathonsun recorded a maximum seed yield of more than 9 g per plant. The genotype, namely, SI 1260 was an early flowering type. The other genotypes were late flowering types. The genotypes viz., SVPR-1 and AVTS 99-4 were early flowering but low yielding types. The reference population of sesame flowered after a calendar age of 35.95 days and after a biological age of, after a preset of, 29.94 leaves. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for height of first flowering node, height of first fruiting node, total dry matter production and harvest index. Studies on correlation and causation revealed that total dry matter production, 1000-seed weight and seed yield were the choice of characters.

ABSTRACT

The EMS at 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0% and DES at 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0% induced chlorophyll and morphological mutations in bhendi [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] var. MDU-1. The spectrum of chlorophyll mutations consisted of albina, chlorina, virescence, viridis and xantha. The morphological mutations consisted of tall, dwarf, early maturity, late maturity, large pod, small pod, dark green pod, long stalk and short stalk. Out of these chlorophyll mutations, xantha type was predominant in the mutagenic treatments. Some of the morphological mutations viz., large pod and dark green pod appeared in more frequency than other types. 0.2% EMS was found as the most effective dose in other treatment.

ABSTRACT

The sugarcane top shoot borer (Sciropophaga nivella) and internode borer (Chilo tumidicostalis) are serious insect-pests of Assam. They are prevalent in all the cane growing areas of Assam and both of them are available throughout the year. Moreover, the studies undertaken during 1999 to 2002 revealed that parasitization varied according to different months of the year. The incidence of top shoot borer and internode borer varied from 3.55-14.44 and 1.11 to 13.12% during 1999 and 2000, respectively. The peak period of activity (14.44%) was observed in September followed by 12.15% in July during the season. In the other two seasons also their incidences varied. During 2000 to 2002, the incidence of top borer and internode borer varied from 2.50-12.75 and 1.50-10.36%, respectively. The natural enemies available at Sugarcane Research Station, Buralikson on top shoot and plassey borer were Cotesia flavipes and Trichogramma chilonis. The parasitization of T. chilonis on the eggs of both the pests varied from 1.12 to 8.50%. Likewise the parasitization of C. flavipes on top shoot and plassey borer larvae varied from 1.50 to 9.12 and 1.30-8.42%, respectively.

ABSTRACT

The experiment was conducted during four different seasons viz., February-March (post-winter), June-July (rainy), August-September (pre-autumn) and October-November (autumn) to study the seasonal influence on egg production in Terai region of West Bengal as well as on different day egg laying and subsequent hatching of seed crop with an objective to suggest the days upto which egg production can be fruitful for successful commercial rearing of muga silkworm. October-November was observed best season for seed production. Dfls as well as quality seeds in terms of hatchability during seed crop rearing season, namely, August-September (fecundity : 250 and hatchability : 179) and February-March (fecundity : 182 and hatchability : 172) could satisfy the seed demand during commercial crop rearing season. Moreover, for supply of quality seed during commercial rearing, collection of first three days well be effective for successful economic and synchronous rearing.

P. MAREESWARI, N. SENTHIL, R. SAMIYAPPAN, A. RAMANATHAN AND R. KARUPPIAH [Bioefficacy and phytotoxicity of a new systemic fungicide, hexaconazole in the control of powdery mildew of chilli]. Crop Res. 30 (2) : 270-275 (2005). Department of Plant Pathology, CPPS Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003 (Tamil Nadu), India.

ABSTRACT

The bioefficacy and phytotoxicity of hexaconazole on the powdery mildew of chilli were studied in field and greenhouse condition. Hexaconazole at four different concentrations viz., 500, 750, 1000 and 1500 ml ha-1 with the standard recommended fungicide viz., mancozeb (1 kg ha-1), propiconazole (1000 ml ha-1), tridemorph (1000 ml ha-1) and wettable sulphur (1500 ml ha-1) were sprayed against the powdery mildew. All the fungicides were significantly superior in controlling the powdery mildew as against untreated control. Among these, hexaconazole at 1500 ml ha-1 was found to be effective over the standard fungicides for checking the area infected, intensity of the disease and increased the yield ha-1. The green house experiments also proved the superiority of hexaconazole in controlling the powdery mildew disease in chilli.

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted in vitro to check the effect of Trichoderma viride and Ergostim (bio-stimulator) on Rhizoctonia solani during the year 2001-02. For this section, three different experiments viz., effect of T. viride on R. solani (mycelial growth and sclerotial number), effect of Ergostim on R. solani (mycelial growth and sclerotial number) and compatibility of T. viride with Ergostim were conducted. Data revealed that maximum inhibition of the pathogen growth was at 4 : 1 ratio, mean growth (for seven days) being 25.39 mm as compared to control (74.42 mm) and 94.58% of sclerotial reduction. There was no greater mycelial inhibition even at 1500 ppm though significant sclerotial reduction (70.43%) was found as compared to control. Compatibility experiment of Trichoderma with Ergostim showed no greater mycelial inhibition, revealing its compatibility with biocontrol agent.

ABSTRACT

Juvenile anthurium plants were treated thrice with five levels of GA3 (0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 ppm) at bimonthly interval commencing from second month after planting. Results revealed that plants treated with GA3 at 300 ppm produced significantly maximum plant height (44.44 cm), leaf length (21.0 cm), number of lateral shoots (4.56) and induced early flowering (206 days) as compared to other treatments. Maximum leaf width (11.19 cm) and number of leaves (13.33) were produced in plants treated with GA33at 225 ppm, while untreated plants produced minimum leaf width (5.84 cm) and number of leaves (6.44 cm). Flower characters did not significantly differ by GA3 concentrations. However, GA3 at 300 ppm produced maximum number of flowers, stalk length, spathe length, spathe width, spadix length, spadix girth and flower weight.

ABSTRACT

Coirpith produced maximun plant height (61.38 cm) compared to other growing media except soilrite which was on par (59.38 cm) and lower plant height (50.13 cm) was recorded in soil media. Leaf area (257.77 cm2) and number of leaves (13.50) were more in coirpith media. While lesser leaf area (219.13 cm2) and number of leaves (11.06) were recorded in soil media. Media containing coirpith produced significantly more number of suckers (2.31) compared to control (1.06).