Volume 30, Number 3 (November, 2005)

ABSTRACT

Drought is the most important factor limiting the productivity of rainfed chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in the Mediterranean environment. This study was conducted to identify chickpea genotypes tolerant to soil moisture stress at different crop growth stages. Six chickpea genotypes, four Kabuli and two desi, were evaluated under four soil moisture levels : T1–control (no stress), T2–Water stress induced during vegetative growth stage, T3– Water stress induced from the first flower setting upto the first pod setting and T4–Water stress induced from first pod setting upto the physiological maturity. Factorial experiment, with 24 treatment combinations, with a randomized complete block design with four replications, was used. Thirteen agro/morophological characters were studied. Genotypes responded differently to water treatments. Under (T1), FLIP-98-107 produced the highest grain yield and FLIP-93-255 gave the lowest yield. Yield was reduced by 17.5, 34.3 and 65% with moisture atress at vegetative, flowering and podding stages, respectively, as compared to the yield at the field capacity. Moisture stress during flowering and podding stages severely affected seed yield and its component. However, moisture stress at the vegetative growth stage had a pronounced effect on plant height, branching and root size. The main characters affecting chickpea grain yield under moisture stress were early maturity, number of pods and seeds per plant and harvest index. These characters could be used by breeders as selection criteria to improve crop stability in drought prone areas.

ABSTRACT

Field experiment was conducted at the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam (950 m MSL), Meghalaya in the pre-rabi seasons of 2000 and 2001 to study the influence of plant geometry and cultivars on seed yield and related parameters in blackgram (Vigna mungo L.). Pooled data revealed that planting geometry had no significant effects on growth and seed yield. Planting geometry of 40 cm x 15 cm recorded higher plant height, root length, leaf number/plant, branches/plant, biomass/plant, pods/plant, seeds/pod and 1000-seed weight than rest of the planting geometries. Planting geometry of 30 cm x 10 cm and 30 cm x 15 cm gave higher seed yield over rest of the planting geometries. Cultivar PDU-1 performed better than DPU-88-31 in all respects.

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted during 2001-02 and 2002-03 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management system on productivity and economics of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]-chickpea [Cicer arietinumn (L.)] cropping sequence under irrigated condition. Application of 75% RDF+FYM+biofertilizers produced significantly higher grain and fodder yield of sorghum which was on par with the yields obtained due to application of 100% RDF through inorganics alone showing 25% saving of nutrients. The residual effect of application of 5 t FYM ha-1 to preceding crop sorghum resulted in significantly higher grain and bhusa yield of chickpea due to 100% RDF to chickpea which was on par with that of 50% RDF showing 50% saving of nutrients. The sorghum equivalent yield was also the highest due to 75% RDF+FYM+biofertilizers. The net monetary returns and B : C ratio of a sequence were significantly higher due to 100% RDF which were on par with that of 75% RDF+FYM+biofertilizer. The fertilizer levels to chickpea showed the highest net monetary returns due to 100% RDF and highest B : C ratio due to 50% RDF.

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Farm of College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during kharif 2001and 2002 to study the influence of different planting geometries and row proportions of intercropped groundnut or pearl millet on yield components and yield of castor. The soil was sandy loam in texture, low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and rich in available potassium. The results indicated that castor spaced at 60, 90 and 120 cm between the rows with 1, 2 and 3 rows of groundnut produced significantly less number of spikes plant-1 compared to sole crop during both the years. The yield components and yield of castor were greatly manipulated by crop geometry and different row proportions in both the years. Its yield was best exploited with no severe losses by growing castor at a spacing of 180 x 13 cm with five rows of groundnut or altering with planting geometry of 120 x 20 cm with three rows of pearl millet under extremely variable rainfall distribution pattern.

ABSTRACT

Irrigation scheduling in agricultural lands needs to know time of watering. In the agricultural lands at the Khoozestan sugarcane area time of irrigation was scheduled using a conventional method, namely, crop-logging method. This method is time consuming and expensive. In this paper feasibility of application of crop canopy-air temperature difference method for irrigation scheduling was investigated. This research was accomplished in sugarcane lands in Imam Khomainy Cultivation and Industry Company, Shooshtar, Iran. Two treatments including “Plant” and “Ratoon 3” in six replications were selected. Crop water stress index and also leaf sheath moisture before the irrigation were measured simultaneously. Lower base line equation was determined using the measured crop canopy-air temperature difference and vapour pressure as : Tc-Ta=0.522-0.115 (VPD). Upper base line was determined as 1°C. For the sugarcane lands which the time of irrigation was reached, simultaneously leaf sheath moisture and crop water stress indexes (CWSIs) were measured. The results showed that crop water stress indexes varied between 0.1 to 0.3. Based on the average value of CWSI in the irrigation time, an equation was proposed using Idso method to determine the time of irrigation. The results showed that this method could be replaced with crop-logging method.

ABSTRACT

A total of 110 taxa containing 2625 individuals were recorded during kharif 2000. In weeded plots, phytophage guilds dominated more than 60%, while in partially weeded plots, predators dominated more than 50% than phytophage insects. Among the phytophages, Hemiptera showed greater dominance than Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera and Orthoptera in both the ecosystems. Same group of predators was not present in all the weeks. Hymenoptera was the dominant group of parasitoids. It showed greater abundance during tillering and panicle initiation stages of the crop. A total of 18 species of weeds were recorded in partially weeded plots, in which, natural enemy guilds were dominant. Thus, natural enemies could check the population of herbivores.

ABSTRACT

An investigation was superimposed during 2002-03 on the permanent manurial trial conducted at BAU, Ranchi under maize-wheat sequence to study the effect of long term manuring and fertilization on productivity, S content, N content and protein content of wheat. Treatments receiving FYM, either half dose or full dose alongwith chemical fertilizers have maintained good yield. The higher yield (38.8 q ha-1) was obtained in plot receiving 1/2 (N+FYM)+P (A-X/2) followed by 37.5 q ha-1 in plot receiving NPK+lime after 46 years of continuous cropping and nutrients use. Continuous use of manure had enhanced the sulphur content in grain to 0.26% (T4) and 0.10% (T4) in straw. Concentration of sulphur slightly increased due to liming i. e. 0.22% in grain and 0.07% in straw. The N content was highest (2.1%) in T5. The results reported higher protein content (13.15%) in plot receiving half dose of FYM alongwith chemical fertilizers (T5).

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted during 2002 and 2003 to study the graded levels of P2O5 and K2O on yield and uptake of major, secondary and micronutrients by soybean. Application of P2O5 significantly increased the grain yield, straw yield, uptake of N, P, K and S and decreased the uptake of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn. Whereas application of K2O significantly increased the grain yield, straw yield and uptake of major as well as secondary and micronutrients.

ABSTRACT

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is known to limit crop production in most tropical and temperate soils. Using an incubation study, a greenhouse pot experiment and concluding field plot experimentation, this work evaluated the response of three cowpea genotypes to sole and combined (1:1) applications of single super phosphate (SSP) and an organic fertilizer, O. F. (formulated from market-waste) at low (0 kg ha-1), medium (30 kg ha-1) and high (60 kg ha-1) levels of P on an Alfisol. Availability of P increased during the five-week incubation period except for SSP treatment, which had a decline (11.5 to 9.3 mg P kg-1 soil) in H2O-soluble P after the fourth week. Treatment with O. F. decreased P-fixation throughout the period of incubation as it promoted availability of the nutrient element (H2O-P being 12.3 mg kg-1 soil) after five weeks. The decreasing order of P-release was O. F.+SSP > SSP > O. F. > control. Significant (P < 0.05) genotypic differences were found in plant height, leaf area, shoot and pod weight and P-use efficiency. Phosphorus-use efficiency was highest (31.6 kg/kg) at 30 kg P ha-1 with SSP and lowest (1.4 kg/kg) at 60 kg P ha-1 with O. F. treatment. Combined application of the organic fertilizer and SSP should be encouraged for enhancing better growth and higher yield of the crop than when either of the two fertilizer forms was applied.

ABSTRACT

Little information is available on the contribution of individual subterranean nodes to storage root production. As this may affect productivity it was investigated in three pot experiments conducted on the Experimental Farm of the University of Pretoria. The objective was to determine the contribution of individual subterranean nodes to storage root formation on terminal, middle and basal vine cuttings, planted with three nodes below the soil surface. In Experiment 1, two types of stem cuttings (terminal and basal) with two orientations of planting (vertical and horizontal) were planted. In Experiment 2, two types of stem cuttings (terminal and middle) with different numbers of leaves (0, 0.5, 1 and 2) were planted. In Experiment 3, three types of cuttings (terminal, middle and basal) with two orientations of planting (vertical and horizontal) were planted. Terminal cuttings were more productive than basal cuttings, and horizontal planting produced a higher storage root yield than vertical planting, but these treatments did not have a clear effect on the distribution of storage roots on the subterranean nodes. Morphologically the number of performed root primordia, and thus the potential to produce storage roots, is similar for all nodes of a cutting. This was reflected in the results, and on an average 3.7 storage roots were produced per cutting, with 34% of the storage roots formed on subterranean node 1, 30% on node 2 and 35% on node 3. However, in terms of fresh mass of the storage roots mode 1 contributed 45%, node 2 contributed 27% and node 3 contributed 27%. This distribution pattern may reflect the relative proximity of the nodes to the source of assimilates from the leaves.

ABSTRACT

Breeding for early planted potato requires adequate information about the genetic components and association between different characters. Attempts were made to understand the genetic components of some vegetative characters of potato that act as source of storage product of potato tuber and their contribution to tuber yield using released varieties, landrace and advanced breeding lines. All the characters exhibited high heritability and low to moderate genetic gain. High genetic gain was observed for stem number and spacing between leaflets indicating additive gene action, whereas tuber yield was influenced by non-additive components. Tuber yield showed strong positive association with number of branches and leaf size. These characters also exerted high positive direct effects on yield; therefore, direct selection of these characters will be beneficial for yield improvement.

ABSTRACT

Four levels of nitrogen (60, 120, 180 and 240 kg ha-1), three of phosphorus (30, 60 and 90 kg P2O5 ha-1) and two that of potassium (30 and 60 kg K2O ha-1) were supplied to cabbage hybrid Bajrang tried in RBD during 1998-99 and 1999-2000. Combined application of the three elements proved quite beneficial for the yield and its attributes, and hence, improved the net returns to the growers. The studies revealed that the maximum returns (C : B=2.61) were registered for the treatment 120 kg N+60 kg P2O5+60 kg K2O ha-1.

ABSTRACT

Eighteen genotypes of French bean comprising the newly developed lines and certain existing varieties were evaluated under three distinct environments for nine quantitative traits including seed yield. The significant value of the G x E interactions revealed differential response of the genotypes to varying environmental conditions. Stability parameters revealed that the genotypes viz., Red Cloud, ACPR-94038, ACPR-94039, Contender and HPR-35 possessed stability for seed yield. Most of the high yielding genotypes were relatively stable. Genotypes possessing stability indicated their suitability for general cultivation and also to use as donor parents in breeding programme.

ABSTRACT

An analysis pertaining to nutritional apsects with respect to six leafy vegetables growing in West Bengal viz., Asteracantha, Bacopa, Centella, Ipomoea, Moringa and Trigonella was carried out at two phases of cutting. Chemical parameters involved moisture content, ash content, TSS, total solids, pH, total titrable acidity, total carbohydrate, total protein, chlorophyll content, vitamin C and vitamin A. Most of the leafy vegetables were rich in vitamin A and vitamin C besides rich source of dietary fibres.

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted during the wet seasons of 1996 and 1997 to study the agronomic performance of roselle varieties. There was highly significant difference between the varieties in plant height, number of leaves and fruit and the yield of fruits, seeds and calyx yield. RV5 is superior to others in plant height, fruit, seed and calyx yield. The difference between the varieties in number of branches per plant was not significant. Coefficient of variation ranged from 3.27 for number of leaves to 27.3 for seed yield. Fruit yield recorded the highest phenotypic and genotypic variance, while calyx yield recorded the highest heritability estimate. Crop performance in terms of growth and yield characters was much better in 1997 as compared to 1996.

ABSTRACT

Coirpith produced maximum number of flowers (11.06), stalk length (35.62 cm) and spathe size (10.43 cm2). While soil media recorded significantly less number of flowers (7.19), shorter stalk length (29.99 cm) and smaller spathe size (8.33 cm2). There was no significant difference among different growing media with respect to stalk girth.

ABSTRACT

The interrelationship between grain yield and seven contributing characters was studied in 60 diverse genotypes of amaranthus in order to understand the relationship and contribution of seven explanatory characters towards grain yield. The field experiment was conducted at Regional Research Station, Gujarat Agricultural University, Sardar Krushinagar during rabi 2000. The grain yield exhibited significant and positive correlation with straw yield per plant, harvest index, 1000-seed weight and number of branches per plant. These four characters had accounted for 66% of the total variation in grain yield.

ABSTRACT

Integrated seed treatment of winter rice with ‘captan 0.10%’ and Trichoderma harzianum slurry was taken up due to former’s best compatibility with T. harzianum compared to T. viride and Gliocladium virens and significant effectiveness in inhibiting growth of rice sheath blight pathogen R. solani as observed in in vitro tests. Field trial was conducted taking application of few organic substrates and green manure crops as main plot treatment to study the effect of seed/seedling root dip treatment and amendments on sheath blight incidence and yield of winter rice. Application of Azolla pinnata @ 5 t/ha) as green manure alongwith 2.5 t FYM/ha was observed to be the best treatment in reducing sheath blight incidence (14.63%) and recording the highest yield (40.29 q/ha). Amendment with FYM alone and S. aculeata+FYM showed next best treatment both in terms of disease reduction and increased yield. Interactive effect of seed+ root dip treatment and amendment showed the best result in all the treatments except control.

ABSTRACT

The nature and magnitude of genetic divergence in 34 rice genotypes for eight characters were assessed using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. The genotypes were grouped into seven clusters. Cluster IV was the largest containing 11 genotypes followed by cluster V with six genotypes. Composition of clusters indicated non-existence of correspondence between genetic diversity and geographical distribution. Days to 50% flowering, single plant yield and grains/panicle were the major characters contributing towards divergence. Clusters I and VI were most divergent followed by clusters I and IV. Based on mean performance, genetic divergence and clustering pattern, hybridization of genotypes TRY 1, CO 43 and IR 71910-3R-2-1 with AD 01004 might yield transgressive segregants.

ABSTRACT

A total of 64 sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] landraces from western Ethiopia were evaluated for nine quantitative traits to determine the extent of associations among seed yield and other yield related traits. These traits include days for 50% heading, plant height, node number per plant, panicle length, panicle weight, threshing percentage, seed yield per plant, 100-kernel weight and kernel number per panicle. Positive and significant correlations were observed among days for 50% heading, plant height and node number per plant. Node number per plant, panicle weight and kernel number per panicle correlated positively and significantly with seed yield per plant. Panicle weight was also positively and significantly correlated with kernel number per panicle. The correlations involving threshing percentage and 100-kernel weight were mostly negative. However, the correlation between threshing percentage and 100-kernel weight was positive and significant, suggesting that selection for higher 100-kernel weight also improved threshing percentage in those landraces. 100-kernel weight correlated negatively and significantly with kernel number per panicle. For most of the traits, phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients were in the same direction and of similar magnitudes, suggesting that the phenotypic correlations were caused due to genetic factors. Node number per plant, panicle weight, 100-kernel weight and kernel number per panicle exerted positive direct and/or indirect effects on seed yield per plant. It was concluded that simultaneous selection for higher panicle weight, 100-kernel weight and kernel number per panicle could be used as an indirect selection strategy to improve seed yield in the landraces.

ABSTRACT

The extent of genotypic and phenotypic variability, heritability and genetic advance in 64 sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] germplasm was assessed using 12 quantitative morphological traits. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were greater than 12% for plant height, panicle length, head weight, grain yield per plant, 100-kernel weight and kernel number per panicle. Higher estimates of heritability values (greater than 80%) coupled with higher predicated genetic advance in per cent of the mean (greater than 20%) were obtained for plant height, panicle length and 100-kernel weight, suggesting that additive gene actions are involved. In conclusion, significant improvement can be realized through selection for plant height, panicle length, head weight, grain yield per plant, 100-kernel weight and kernel number per panicle in these landraces.

ABSTRACT

To study the Per se performance in respect of nine characters in rabi sorghum, the parent material consisting of three sterile lines and 10 restorer lines alongwith two checks was taken. From the present investigation, it was observed that the Per se performance of hybrids needs consideration in selection in additive to their heterotic effect. The crosses 116A x Rs-29, 36642A x SPV-489, 53A x SPV-1277 and 36642A x RSE-5 showed superior performance than existing checks SPV-839 and CSH-13R which may be exploited.

ABSTRACT

A study was carried out to assess the nature and extent of heterosis for seed cotton yield and fibre characters in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) by line x tester analysis. The heterosis percentage for seed cotton yield over mid parent was as high as 48.48 in the cross of Sahana x LRA 5166. For ginning outturn, it was 16.66%, for seed index it was 21.31%, for lint index it was recorded 30.78% and for mean halo length it was 10.22%. Positive heterosis was very high for seed cotton yield (48.48%). For other fibre characters, the heterosis was both in the positive and negative side.

ABSTRACT

The present investigation was undertaken with the objective to assess the extent of variability, heritability and genetic advance of morpho-physiological characters among the 40 genotypes in pigeonpea. Analysis of variance showed significant difference among the genotypes for leaf area index (LAI), net assimilation rate (NAR) and crop growth rate (CGR) at different stages of crop growth. Higher estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) were observed for CGR followed by LAI and NAR at all stages of crop growth. The differences in the PCV and GCV were more in case of LAI as compared to NAR and CGR, which indicated that LAI was more influenced by environment. High value of heritability estimates in broad sense was observed for CGR at all growth stages. Genetic advance (GA) was hight at all the stages of crop growth for all the morpho-physiological characters. GCV and GA showed the same trend, which can be exploited for further improvement. High heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance were observed for all the morpho-physiological characters and hence simple selection procedure can be used for the improvement of these characters in pigeonpea.

ABSTRACT

The effect of gamma rays on germination, morphological and yield parameters in soybean was studied by treating the seeds with different doses of gamma rays (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 kR). The germination percentage, days of first flower, root length, shoot length, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, fresh weight per plant, dry weight per plant, 100-seed weight and yield per plant decreased with increasing dose of gamma rays.

D. BALACHANDAR*, K. KUMAR, K. ARULMOZHISELVAN AND S. KANNAIYAN [Effect of immobilization of cyanobacteria on ammonia excretion and rice seedling growth by 15N technique]. Crop Res. 30 (3) : 462-468 (2005). Department of Agricultural Microbiology Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003 (T. N.), India (e-mail : dbalu2000@yahoo.com).

ABSTRACT

Nitrogen fixing cyanobacterial strains (Anabaena azollae AS-DS and Nostoc muscorum DOH) immobilized in polyurethane foam and sugarcane waste inoculated to rice seedlings and their potential for nitrogen contribution. 15N dilution method was used to study the nitrogen contribution efficiency of immobilized cyanobacteria to rice seedlings (cv. ADT 36) under hydroponic culture condition. The result revealed that the immobilized cyanobacterial inoculation performed better than free-living cultures in terms of biochemical build up of rice seedlings. 15N quantification resulted that the immobilized cyanobacteria contributed a range of 15 to 25% of total nitrogen of rice seedlings. Among the different cultures, N. muscorum (DOH) immobilized in sugarcane waste inoculation recorded maximum biochemical build up of rice seedlings and contributed maximum N uptake of rice seedlings.

ABSTRACT

Greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek cv. KM-2] seeds were germinated on filter paper and irrigated daily with distilled water (control), 60 mM NaCl, 60 mM NaCl+µM bitertanol, 60 mM NaCl+2 µM bitertanol solutions till eight days after sowing. Sodium chloride stress decreased root length, shoot length, leaf area, dry mass and protein content of greengram seedlings. However, the moisture content increased in the root of NaCl stressed seedlings, while it decreased in the stem and leaf. Amino acid, proline contents and protease activity were increased by the NaCl stress. Bitertanol treatment decreased the amino acid and proline content and increased root length, shoot length, leaf area, protein content and decreased protease activity in the NaCl stressed seedlings.

ABSTRACT

To improve productivity and yield of plantain, a thorough understanding of the growth and development of the crop is essential. A field study was conducted to describe how dry matter (DM) is accumulated and partitioned in the horn plantain, and to determine whether such a pattern of growth could be exploited as an index to develop high yielding varieties, or as a basis to improve cultural management. Plantain suckers were planted in the field and harvested for biomass production about every three weeks during the growing season. At each harvest, plants were separated into various plant parts and their DM content was determined. The average rates of DM accumulation during the vegetative phase were 6.5, 7.8, 4.5 and 2.0 g plant-1 day-1 for the leaves, pseudostem, corm and suckers, respectively. The average rates of DM accumulation during the reproductive phase were 5.2, 9.5, 3.8, 21.4 and 18.4 g plant-1 day-1 for the leaves, pseudostem, corm, bunch and suckers, respectively. Early in the vegetative phase the plant allocated a greater percentage of the total DM to the leaves [39.0% at 110 days after planting (DAP)], while the partitioning ratio of the pseudostem decreased linearly. As the plant matured, the partitioning ratio of the leaves decreased significantly, but that of the pseudostem and suckers increased linearly. By 150 DAP the partitioning ratio of the leaves had decreased from 0.39 at 110 DAP to 0.35, but the partitioning ratio of the pseudostem had increased from 0.23 at 110 DAP to 0.33 at 150 DAP, and that of the sucker, from 0.0 to 0.06. During the reproductive phase, partitioning ratios decreased for the leaves, pseudostem and corm, while partitioning ratios for the bunch and suckers increased significantly. By 60 days after flowering (DAF), DM partitioning had decreased from 0.22 at flowering to 0.15 for leaves, from 0.34 to 0.24 for the pseudostem, and from 0.19 to 0.12 for the corm. During this period, DM partitioning to the bunch increased from 0.03 at flowering to 0.21 at 60 DAF, and from 0.13 to 0.23 for the suckers. Results of this study indicate that the suckers compete with the pseudostem and bunch during the vegetative and reproductive phases of growth, respectively, for dry matter accumulation and partitioning. Suppression of suckers throughout the growing season could improve plantain yield.

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Gwalior (M. P.) on sandy loam soil to evaluate the effect of irrigation and intercropping system on yield, yield equivalent, LER and economics of mustard and linseed. The results revealed that irrigation brought about significant increase in grain and stover yield of both mustard and linseed over control. Two irrigations at 30 and 60 DAS recorded the higher grain yield of both mustard and linseed, mustard grain yield equivalent and net return and B : C ratio, while LER decreased markedly with increasing irrigation. Grain and stover yield of mustard and linseed under all intercropping systems was significantly lower than sole stand. All the intercropping systems were found productive (LER>1) and economically viable. The mustard + linseed in 2 : 4 row ratio produced the higher LER (1.16) and B : C ratio (2.52) over rest of planting geometry.