Volume 31, Number 3 (May, 2006)

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were conducted for two years in rice-wheat cropping sequence at research farm of CSKHPKV, HAREC, Dhaulakuan. The results revealed that dry matter production was highest in case of sunnhemp followed by dhaincha and moong. Nitrogen addition was maximum with the incorporation of dhaincha followed by moong and sunnhemp. Green manure+50% N+compost were found statistically at par with 100% NPK in increasing yield and nutrient uptake by rice crop. Among all the treatments, dhaincha+50% N+compost treatment recorded highest yield of rice crop and had beneficial residual effect on the following wheat crop.

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted on kharif rice var. I. R. 36 during 2000 and 2001 to study the effect of organic (vermicompost and farm yard manure) and chemical sources of nutrients on productivity and soil fertility of kharif rice in red and lateritic soil. The rice when supplied with 50% of recommended NPK fertilisers (30 : 15 : 15) alongwith vermicompost @ 10 t ha -1 produced significantly higher number of effective tillers m -2 and higher number of filled grains panicle -1 in comparison to 100% of recommended NPK fertilisers (60 : 30 : 30). Higher number of effective tillers m -2, panicle length and filled grains panicle -1 were also noticed in all the vermicompost treated plots alone or in combination with 75% or 50% of recommended NPK fertilisers than farm yard manure treated plots combined with respective NPK fertilisers. Significantly higher grain and straw yields were obtained from the use of 50% of recommended NPK fertilisers with 10 t ha -1 vermicompost when compared with 100% of NPK fertilisers. However, the values were statistically at par between 50 and 75% of recommended NPK+vermicompost @ 10 t ha -1. The combination of 75% or 50% NPK fertilisers with 10 t vermicompost ha -1 always showed higher grain and straw yield of kharif rice than similar combination of NPK fertilisers and farm yard manure (FYM). With respect to soil fertility at rice harvest, higher soil reserve of organic carbon, available nitrogen and available phosphorus were found both in combined application of vermicompost or farm yard manure with NPK fertilisers than application of NPK fertilisers alone. The results indicated that integrated plant nutrient supply through organic and chemical sources not only increased the rice yield but also helped sustain the soil fertility level when compared with 100% of NPK fertilisers. Between the two organic manures, vermicompost appeared to be more efficient in this regard.

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted at C. S. Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur during two consecutive years ( kharif 2000 and 2001) to evaluate the effect of soil conditioners and fertilizer doses on the production of rice in rice-wheat system. On pooled basis, application of FYM @ 5 t/ha produced significantly higher grain yield of rice by a margin of 2.30 q/ha (4.79%) and 4.0 q/ha (8.64%) over gypsum treated plot and control, respectively. Application of FYM also improved the yield attributes of rick like ear bearing shoots/m 2 (21.4 shoots or 5.56%), panicle weight (0.10 g or 5.43%), grains/panicle (9.8 grains or 9.95%) and grain weight/panicle (0.09 g or 5.0%) than control. Recommended dose of fertilizer (120 : 60 : 40 kg NPK/ha) produced significantly higher grain and straw yield of rice over 75 and 50% of the recommended doses. All the yield attributes were found inferior to reducing doses of fertilizer.

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were conducted during summer and kharif seasons of 2001 at Agricultural Research Station, Honnavile, University of Agricultural Sciences , Bangalore . Pooled data of two seasons indicated that drum seeding with application of double the recommended dose of NPK ha -1 and application of fertilizers for targeted yield of 10 t ha -1 through 100% inorganic source recorded significantly higher grain yield (10330 and 10025 kg ha -1), net income (Rs. 40350 and 40229 ha -1) and returns per rupee investment (3.23 and 3.30) compared to other treatment combinations. Drum seeding system showed superior performance compared to transplanting system.

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were conducted during summer and kharif seasons of 2001 at Agricultural Research Station, Honnavile, University of Agricultural Sciences , Bangalore . Pooled data of two seasons indicated that treatment combination of drum seeding with application of pre-emergence herbicide pretilachlor+safener at 1 l ha -1 on 4 DAS followed by one hand weeding at 30 DAS recorded significantly higher grain yield (7061 kg ha -1), net income (Rs. 25208 ha -1) in addition to higher energy output (219610 MJ ha -1) and energy use efficiency (9.93). Days to 50% flowering and maturity in direct seeded rice was 8-9 days early compared to transplanted crop.

ABSTRACT

An investigation was carried out during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2000-01 and 2001-02 to find out the response of wheat to soil conditioners and fertilizer doses under rice-wheat cropping system. In pooled data, application of FYM @ 5 t/ha produced significantly higher grain yield of 53.30 q/ha which was 2.6 q/ha (5.12%) and 4.5 q/ha (9.22%) higher than gypsum and control, respectively. Effect of gypsum was also found significantly positive over control by a margin of 1.90 q/ha (3.89%) higher grain yield. Almost all the yield contributing characters of wheat were superior in FYM treated plot followed by gypsum application. The grain weight/ear was higher by 0.22 g (14.47%) and 0.07 g (4.60%), respectively, with FYM and gypsum treatments than control. Application of recommended dose of fertilizer produced highest grain yield, straw yield, ear bearing shoots/m 2 and grain weight/ear and every reduction in fertilizer doses from 100 to 75% and 75 to 50% decreased the grain yield by 2.20 q/ha (4.12%) and 2.70 q/ha (5.28%), straw yield by 2.50 q/ha (3.80%) and 3.30 q/ha (5.22%) and grain weight/ear by 0.11 g (6.28%) and 0.18 g (10.97%), respectively.

ABSTRACT

A green house pot experiment was conducted to find out a possible fertilizer P economy due to combined application of VAM and PSB in wheat. The study conducted in CRD with three replications involved three VAM (Glomus spp.) cultures (TERI, IARI and Local) and a local PSB culture (Pseudomonas striata) alone as well as all possible combinations alongwith 75% of soil test based and yield target oriented P 2O 5 dose as single super phosphate (SSP). The studies revealed a synergistic interaction between seed inoculation of either VAM culture(s) and PSB in relation to wheat yield, nutrient content and uptake. Co-inoculation of VAM culture from TERI, New Delhi and PSB culture proved to be the most efficient in enhancing wheat yields followed by IARI and the local. A combined application of VAM culture from TERI and PSB alongwith 75% of recommended P 2O 5 as SSP (30 q ha -1) remained significantly at par with 100% P 2O 5 as SSP in improving wheat grain and straw yields, nutrient content and nutrient uptake indicating 25% fertilizer P 2O 5 saving in wheat. Soil nutrient status (available N, P and K) after harvest, under ‘VAM+PSB’ was found to be almost at par with 100% P 2O 5 as SSP particularly with respect to available P, despite 25% less application of phosphatic fertilizer.

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2000-01 and 2001-02 to evaluate the grain yield response of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] to farm yard manure (FYM) under different phosphorus levels and vice versa. Mean grain yield of G. C. 3 cowpea increased significantly with the increased levels, each of FYM and phosphorus. Response of cowpea to both FYM and phosphorus was observed to be quadratic. On pooled grain yield basis, the economic optimum dose(s) of FYM for G. C. 3 cowpea were 6.2, 9.3, 11.9 and 12.3 t/ha under 0 (no phosphorus–control), 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5/ha, respectively. Similarly, economic optimum dose(s) of phosphorus were 57.3, 51.2, 55.4 and 57.1 kg P2O5/ha under 0 (no FYM–control), 5, 10 and 15 t FYM/ha, respectively.

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore during rainy season of 2001 on effect of growth, yield and nutrient uptake of fingermillet as influenced by different cropping systems and fertility levels. The results revealed that intercropping fingermillet grown with redgram (8 : 2) recorded significantly higher growth and yield parameters. It also recorded higher nitrogen (133.8 kg/ha), P2O5 (27.5 kg/ha) and K2O (87.4 kg/ha). Application of recommended dose of fertilizers (50 : 40 : 25 kg NPK/ha) and 5 t of compost recorded significantly superior in yield parameters and N (115.3 kg/ha), P2O5 (34 kg/ha) and K2O (77.3 kg/ha) uptake.

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was carried out to find out the response of farm yard manure, phosphorus application and phosphate solubilizing bacteria on lentil at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during rabi seasons of 2003 and 2004. The application of 5 t FYM/ha increased the grain yield of lentil by 7.91 and 7.07% during 1st and 2nd year. The successive increase in application of phosphorus upto 60 kg P2O5/ha improved the grain yield and yield attributes of lentil. The seed treatment with phosphorus solubilizing bacteria at the time of sowing increased the grain yield by a margin of 5.66 and 8.49% during 2003 and 2004.

ABSTRACT

The inheritance and molecular mapping of fertility restorer gene(s) in wheat was carried out using an F2 mapping population from the cross arar CMS 343 x 4099R employing microsatellite markers. Microsatellite markers based fingerprint database was generated using 72 SSR primers for both the parents (restorer and CMS lines). Out of 72 SSR primers used in the study, both the parents showed polymorphism at 19 SSR loci and 53 primers yielded monomorphic amplified products. In cross arar CMS 343 x 4099R, Xgwm 33-1A and Xgwm 136-1A were found to be closely linked to Rf gene at a distance of 11.0 and 12.2 cm, respectively and Xgwm 361-6B was found to be closely linked to Rf gene at 6BS chromosome.

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to study inheritance of anthocyanin pigmentation in inter sub-specific crosses of rice. In the present study, F1 hybrids were obtained between green pigmented semi-dwarf indica and tropical japonicas and dwarf indica, japonica varieties exhibited anthocyanin pigment in apiculus. The segregation of pigment in that plant part in F2 generation led to the identification of monogenic (3 : 1) nature of gene action. The purple pigmentation occurred when single dominant gene was present, the absence of that resuled in green pigmentation like that of green plants. The tight linkage of apiculus colour with WC gene sends candid information to breeders to utilize this character in the indirect selection for WC in the breeding programme.

ABSTRACT

To study combining ability, the seven parents viz., Vikas, Kanak, Chambal, IR-64, BK-79, Jaya and IR-36 were crossed in diallel fashion (excluding reciprocal) during kharif 2002. The seven parents and their 21 crosses were grown at Agricultural Research Station, Kota. They were raised in randomized block design with three replications. Observations were recorded on grain weight alongwith other characters viz., days to flowering, days to maturity, tillers per plant, panicle length, grains per panicle, 100-grain weight and yield per plot. Combining ability analysis revealed the preponderance of non-additive gene action for most of the characters. Parents Vikas, Kanak and IR-64 were good general combiners for yield and yield attributing characters like grains per panicle, grain weight per panicle and yield per plot. In addition to this parent Vikas was found to be good general combiner for 100-grain weight.

ABSTRACT

Seven wide compatible varieties (WCVs) including two indicas (Dular and ASD 16) and five tropical japonicas (WCR 6, IR 65600-32-4-6-1, IR 65601-120-3-5, IR 66158-38-3-2-1 and IR 67323-46-2-1) were test crossed with four WA cytosterile lines (PMS 3A, IR 62829A, IR 68888A and IR 68890A) to identify restorers and non-restorers. The tropical japonica genotype IR 65600-32-4-6-1 was identified as complete restorer for all the four CMS lines studied. Hence, this can be utilized directly as male parent for producing hybrids with any of the A lines with WA source. The genotype WCR 6 was recommended for CMS conversion as it maintained sterility for all the CMS lines studied. ASD 16, a local high yielding variety fell under WC category. It also restored the fertility of CMS line, namely, IR 62829A. Since, ASD 16 got both WCG and restorer gene for a CMS line, it may be utilized as male parent with IR 62829A in CMS based heterosis breeding programme.

ABSTRACT

In finger millet, 21 hybrids were generated and were evaluated for eight yield and yield attributing and two quality traits. Analysis of variance revealed the predominance of non-additive gene action for all the traits studied. Among the parents, the line GPU 26, and testers PES 400 and DPI 2011 could be utilised for improving yield and yield attributing characters viz., productive tillers and finger length, since they recorded high per se alongwith high gca effect. CO 9 and TNAU 946 could be utilized for improving protein content and for improving calcium content, CO 9 and GPU 28 were found to be suited since they recorded high per se and high gca effect. The cross combinations CO 9 x PES 400 for early flowering, Indaf 11 x DPI 2011 and CO 9 x PES 400 for grain yield, CO 9 x TNAU 946 for protein content and CO 9 x GPU 28 for calcium content recorded high sca and per se performance. Hence, pedigree breeding could provide better cultivar for further yield and quality improvement in finger millet.

ABSTRACT

Fifteen varieties, each of mustard and toria genotypes, were evaluated for comparative account of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for eight quantitative and two qualitative characters under study. From the present investigation, it can be concluded that performance of mustard cultivars was considerably better than that of toria varieties. The variety Sharma of mustard was the best variety amongst the varieties of toria and mustard and amongst toria varieties, variety MRTH 110 was observed as best variety. In general, phenotypic coefficient of variances was higher than genotypic coefficient of variances. It indicated the influence of environment for all the traits under study. If we consider the crop duration between the two species, the varieties of toria are not very uneconomic in comparison to mustard varieties, as the farmers take toria crop only in two third of the crop duration of the later. Thus, the cultivation of mustard is more economic if both toria and mustard are taken as main crops.

ABSTRACT

Combining ability studies involving 45 hybrids alongwith their parents were studied in pigeonpea. The components of variances due to gca and sca revealed pre-dominance of non-additive gene action for most of the characters studied. Parents ICP 13201 and ICP 13207 were found to be the best general combiners for yield attributing traits. The hybrid ICP 11967 x CO 5 was identified as the best combination and could be exploited for improving seed yield in pigeonpea.

ABSTRACT

The experiment was conducted at PAU Regional Station, Bathinda during kharif 2003 to evaluate 21 different genotypes of clusterbean for their quality, straw and seed yield. The results showed that amongst the different genotypes, RGM 114 produced the highest seed yield followed by RGM 115 and the lowest seed yield was recorded in AVKG 37. The highest straw yield was recorded in GAUG 9703 genotype and the lowest was observed in RGS 1077. Carbohydrates, crude protein and galactomannan recorded were the highest in RGC 1055, HGS 365 and RGM 114 genotypes, respectively.

ABSTRACT

The investigation with 30 chilli genotypes was carried out to estimate variability, heritability and genetic advance. A wide range of variation was observed for all the characters studied. The magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV). High heritability (broad sense) was the characteristic observation for all the characters except crop duration. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was found for 100-fruit weight, yield plant-1, dry weight of plant, seeds fruit-1 and fruits plant-1 indicating the presence of additive gene action for these characters and, therefore, the characters can be improved through selection. Low genetic advance was recorded for primary branches plant-1, fruit breadth, fruit length and dry weight of root.

ABSTRACT

In new alluvial soil of West Bengal, a field experiment was conducted to study the yield, quality and post-harvest life of onion (Allium cepa L.) cv. ‘Sukhsagar’ under different moisture regimes (no irrigation, farmers’ practice of 8-10 days interval, irrigation at 0.55 and 0.80 atm. tension) and levels of fertilizers (no fertilizer, N : K : S=100 : 120 : 40 and N : K : S=150 : 180 : 60). Highest neck thickness (1.59 cm), diameter of bulb (4.58 cm), bulb weight (56.73 g), TSS (10.08 °Brix) and yield (225.72 q/ha) were obtained under irrigation at 0.55 atm. tension. The fertilizer dose of N 150 kg, K 180 kg and S 60 kg per ha resulted in maximum yield of quality bulbs. Regarding post-harvest life of bulbs, sprouting (%), weight loss (%) and rotting (%) were higher under irrigation at 0.55 atm. tension and lower with higher dose of fertilizers.

ABSTRACT

A field screening was made against the leaf curl virus disease in tomato to identify the source of resistance for future multiplication, genetic improvement and cultivation in the plains of West Bengal. Twelve hybrids of determinate type and 11 hybrids of open pollinated determinate type were selected and screened under natural field conditions. None of the lines was free from the disease. Less disease incidence was found in hybrid (determinate) BSS-422 (9.63%) in comparison to check variety TH-01462 (10.07%) and in the open pollinated determinate lines, lowest incidence was recorded in KDTS-171 (13.61%) against the check line Co-3 (15.39%). The yields were also higher than the check varieties.

ABSTRACT

A line x tester analysis involving 14 lines and two testers was carried out during summer-rainy 2002 at two locations viz., Palampur and Akrot to study the nature and magnitude of heterobeltiosis for fruit yield per plant and 10 component traits. The pooled analysis revealed that no single cross-combination could express significant desirable heterobeltiosis for all the characters simultaneously. Pusa Makhmalil x P-8 revealed desirable heterobeltiosis to the maximum extent for fruit yield per plant (27.11%), nodes per plant (19.30%) and plant height (26.32%). The cross-combination Dhira x Arka Anamika revealed significant heterosis over better parent for inter-nodal length (-22.78%), fruits per plant (20.96%) and fruit length (39.29%). The other promising hybrids were Pusa Makhmali x Arka Anamika and Varsha Uphar x P-8. Thus, these cross combinations can be utilized in further breeding programmes.

ABSTRACT

Loose smut and hill bunt are the two major diseases of wheat occurring simultaneously in several fields in the mid and high hills of north-western Himalayas of India. Both these diseases cause tremendous losses in yield and quality of wheat every year. Depending upon the external and internal seed-borne nature of hill bunt and loose smut, respectively, different fungicides are recommended for their control, thus making the process difficult and cumbersome. In order to find out effective and economic control of both the diseases simultaneously, field experiments were conducted during rabi 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons. Three sets of wheat seed (loose smut infected, hill bunt inoculated and loose smut infected and hill bunt inoculated) were treated with fungicides known to be effective against loose smut. The experiment was laid out in a RBD with three replications. Propiconazole (Tilt) was found to be the best treatment giving 100% control of hill bunt and 94.6% control of loose smut in 1998-99 and 100% control of both the diseases in 1999-2000. It was followed by carbendazim (Bavistin 50 WP) and carboxin (Vitavax 75 WP). The cost of seed treatment excluding labour cost for the control of both the diseases was worked out to be merely Rs. 15/q as compared to Rs. 193/q with bavistin and Rs. 500/q with vitavax.

ABSTRACT

A study was carried out to find out the effect of brassinosteroids on growth, physiology, biochemistry and pod yield in goundnut. Field experiments were conducted with foliar spray of brassinosteroids @ 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg l-1 at different stages. Observations on morphological, physiological, biochemical and yield parameters were recorded. From the results, it was found that application of brassinosteroids @ 1.00 mg l-1 on 25 and 35 DAS was the best among the treatments in all the parameters.

S. CHITRA, C. R. ANANDA KUMAR AND L. SUBHA [Effects of carbon source on different explants of Assam rice collection]. Crop Res. 31(3) : 424-426 (2006). Department of Agricultural Botany Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, TNAU, Coimbatore-641 003 (Tamil Nadu), India.

ABSTRACT

A carbon source (3% sucrose, 3% maltose) for its effect on callus induction of different explants (seed, coleoptile and root) of eight ARC lines and one japonica check Taipei 309 on MS medium was studied. The variation in the callus induction response among different explants was statistically significant when subjected to factorial completely randomized block design (FCRD) and the mean values were compared using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Effect of maltose on seed explant was higher than other two. But sucrose effect was high in coleoptile when considering overall performane, callus formation from seed and coleoptile were found to be better than root. Maltose gave good result than sucrose. So, it can be used as best carbon source in tissue culture studies than sucrose.

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to study genotypic variability of some rice hybrids and their parents at the emergence and seedling stage at different levels of salinity (0, 0.15, 0.2 and 0.25 M NaCl). These experiments showed that increasing salinity decreased emergence and seedling growth in both the hybrids and parents. The results reveal that there existed highly significant genotypic variability in emergence and seedling stage in response to different levels of NaCl concentrations. Most of the genotypes showed more than 90% germination in control showing good seed vigour. It was observed that 0.15 M NaCl had negligible effect on emergence, in few cases showing stimulation, probably owing to the effect of Na. At 0.2 M NaCl the genotypes selected at emergence were among the hybrids viz., H-608 (79%), H-606 (68%), H-602 (61%) and among the parents viz., M-626 (81%) (male), F-603 (67%) and F-606 (61%) (females). Similarly considerable amount of genotypic variability was found at control and saline conditions at the seedling stage with reference to the variables shoot height, root length, shoot and root dry weight. An increase in shoot and root length including emergence in few cases at higher levels of salinity might function as osmotic adjustment and adaptation of rice to salinity stress at the seedling stage. High heritability and genotypic coefficient of variations observed in some of the seedling traits offer good scope for genetic improvement for salinity tolerance both at the emergence and at the seedling stage. F-603, H-606, M-626, H-624, H-603, H-608, H-602 and H-626 were selected as tolerant to salinity at the seedling stage. Therefore, it is possible that the recombinations of salinity tolerant lines, male and female lines could make hybrids with potential salinity tolerance both at emergence and seedling stage.

ABSTRACT

The present study undertook a comparative study on the levels of tolerance to salinity, namely, sorghum, pearl millet, rice, maize, cotton and sunflower. In all the crops increasing salinity decreased emergence. Significant variations were observed in salinity tolerance in all these crops. Among these crops, pearl millet and cotton were more tolerant to salinity compared to other crops. Sunflower was highly susceptible to salinity.

ABSTRACT

The paper presents the results on the effect of salinity and genotypic variability of eight sorghum hybrids and parents to salinity tolerance. Increasing salinity decreased the emergence and seedling growth of sorghum genotypes and significant variability was observed among the genotypes with respect to seedling traits. The high heritability observed in the case of shoot length, root length, shoot dry weight and root dry weight suggests that these traits may be used as selection criteria for genetic improvement of salinity tolerance.

ABSTRACT

Laboratory evaluation of eight research cotton hybrids and four popular commercial checks revealed the significant variability on seed and seedling vigour. In general, these hybrids showed moderate to high seed and seedling vigour with some entries VBCH 102, VBCH 105 and VBCH 107 accumulated comparative higher biomass (dry weight). High heritability and genotypic correlations with other traits could be used as a selection criterion for genetic improvement in cotton hybrids. The high correlation on 4th day count revealed its paramount importance as a selection trait and seed germination measuring technique to measure the germination status quickly. With respect to salinity tolerance of 12 hybrids, increasing NaCl concentration significantly reduced germination, seedling root length, showing considerable variation between the cotton hybrids. At 0.2 M NaCl, six genotypes grouped as tolerant were VBCH-110, VBCH-101, VBCH-107, VBCH-104, VBCH-103 and VBCH-108. High heritability for almost all the salinity tolerant traits offers good scope for selection and genetic improvement of cotton. An increase in seedling emergence, shoot length and shoot dry weight could function as osmotic adjustment and adaptation to salinity stress in cotton. Cotton hybrids tolerant to salinity at the seedling stages could be profitably grown in saline areas.

ABSTRACT

A simple technique of hydro-priming (involving 15 h of soaking the seeds in water followed by drying in room temperature for three days) was effectively utilised to break seed dormancy. Initially seeds of sunflower genotypes obtained from different growing regions were primed for 15 h and then stored for further germination tests. Then both the primed and the control seeds were put in germination in three different dates upto 65 days after priming. It was observed that there was large variability in germination among the cultivars and between localities. In all the tests, germination percentage was higher than that in the control indicating that the primed seeds did not lose viability even after 65 days after priming. This technique may be easily utilised by the farmers and seed producers in the commercial production of sunflower.

ABSTRACT

Poor emergence and poor seedling vigour is a great problem in cotton indicating that there is the necessity to develop technique to improve cotton seedling vigour. Hydropriming (soaking the seeds in water followed by drying in room temperature) is found effective in improving seedling vigour. It is observed that at 20 h priming period (followed by drying for three days) has improved greatly the seedling vigour in all the cotton hybrids, although there was genetic variability. Among the hybrids, CHECK-1 (77%), VCH-103 (65%), VCH-105 (60%), CHECK-4 (60%), VCH-104 (58%) and VCH-106 (58%) have shown high seed vigour with respect to the number of seedling, 2-3 times greater than that in the control and also higher seedling fresh and dry weight.

ABSTRACT

The analogous areas for mandarin have been carved out in Assam by superimposing annual rainfall and monthly mean temperature maps on soil suitability map of the same crop. The analogous areas for the crop have been categorized as ‘most suitable’, ‘suitable’, ‘fairly suitable’, ‘moderately suitable’ and ‘unsuitable’ depending on degree of suitability of the classes for the crop. It is found that the area of mandarin cultivation is limited in the state. Mainly it is concentrated in the districts of UBVZ and Hill Zones. Some pockets are also scattered in the other districts of the state. This type of analogous map will help to select a more profitable crop for a given locality thereby enhancing the productivity of the crops.

ABSTRACT

Frequency and intensity of drought of various categories in south-eastern region of Rajasthan state were studied during 15 years (1981-1995) period. Reference evapotranspiration values were calculated by Penman-Monteith method. Weekly water balance was computed as suggested by Thornthwaite and Mather (1955) method. Departure of aridity index (Ia) from the median was calculated and using the scheme proposed by Subrahmanyam and Sastri (1969) droughts were categorized of each station. Thornthwaite and Mather (1955) method was used for climatic shift. Droughtiness factor increased with increase in coefficient of variation of aridity index.

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to estimate the variability parameters for the quantitative characters of seven F2 populations of inter sub-specific crosses of rice. The differences between the F2 populations were highly significant for all the characters studied. Among the characters, grain yield showed high genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability alongwith genetic advance as per cent of mean. This was followed by the characters viz., spikelet fertility per cent, productive tillers per plant and number of grains per panicle. These traits are highly amenable for selection while going for the crop improvement programme of rice through inter sub-specific hybridization.

ABSTRACT

Thirty-nine pigeonpea genotypes collected from Main Pulse Research Station, S. K. Nagar were used to study their performance, genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance of yield and yield contributing characters. Significant variations were observed for all the characters in all the genotypes used in the experiment. Higher phenotypic coefficient of variations was observed for grain yield per plant, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, number of pods per cluster and harvest index. Characters like grain yield per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, number of pods per cluster and harvest index showed high heritability. Considering high genetic advance, the percentage of mean was found for grain yield per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant and harvest index.

ABSTRACT

Three inoculation techniques viz., single grain insertion, single sclerotium insertion and injecting mycelial suspension were tested to induce sheath blight symptom in three cultivars of rice viz., IR-50, Swarnamashuri and Heera. Inoculation with single sclerotium insertion was found most effective and recorded highest sheath blight symptom (68.5 to 80.0%), lesion length (2.45 to 4.75 cm) and also per cent disease index (32.5-43.5) in all three cultivars of rice as compared to other methods of inoculation, which is followed by single grain insertion technique.

ABSTRACT

Training is an important mechanism for transfer of technology and for improving the human resources at all levels. The Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women was established during 1996 with a broad objective of improving the living standards of poor households and empowerment of women. This is being done through a network of women Self Help Groups (SHGs) formed with the help of identified Non-governmental organizations (NGOs). NGOs conducted training programmes for women Self Help Group members. Hence, a study was taken up among 120 Women Self Help Group members of Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, India to determine the usefulness of the training. Simple percentage analysis was worked out to find out the usefulness of the training programmes. The findings of the study revealed that the training on activity based skill training was highly useful.