Volume 32, Number 2 (September, 2006)
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 Sofit (pretilachlor+safener) at 1 l ha-1 on 4 DAS followed by one hand weeding at 30 DAS recorded significantly lower total weed count (4.19/0.25 m2), total weed dry weight (35.1 kg ha-1) and lower removal of nutrients by weeds resulting in superior grain yield (7061 kg ha-1) and higher uptake of nutrients (139.6, 48.4 and 146.1 kg ha-1 N, P and K) by rice. ABSTRACT A farmers’ participatory research was conducted during 2002-04 in two villages of Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya to study the productivity and economic performance of rice-toria cropping sequence. Results revealed that no significant difference was found in respect of panicles/m row length, grains/panicle, panicle length, grain and straw yield/m row length, test weight, grain and straw yield/ha of rice in both the villages. Significantly highest grain yield (31.50 q/ha) and straw yield (62.32 q/ha) was registered with fresh chopped Eupatorium @ 5 t/ha+recommended fertilizers (60 : 60 : 40 kg NPK/ha) which was at par with FYM @ 5 t/ha+recommended fertilizers at Umsamlem village. However, significantly highest test weight (28.79 g) at Umsamlem and plant height (82.21 cm) at Mawlasnai was recorded with fresh chopped Eupatorium @ 5 t/ha+50% recommended fertilizers. Maximum rice grain equivalents (39.16 and 27.87 q/ha RGE), gross returns (Rs. 19578 and 13937/ha), net returns (Rs. 11521 and 6640/ha) and benefit : cost ratios (2.43 and 1.91) of rice-toria cropping sequence were recorded with the use of IPNS technology of fresh chopped Eupatorium @ 5 t/ha+recommended fertilizers and fresh chopped Eupatorium @ 5 t/ha+50% recommended dose of fertilizers at Umsamlem and Mawlasnai villages, respectively. A study was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai during summer season of 2002 to study the effect of drip and surface irrigation methods with rice straw mulching on productivity and water use efficiency of cotton. Six irrigation methods and two mulching practices were incorporated in this study. The highest seed cotton yield (2,430 kg ha-1) and water use efficiency (3.53 kg ha-1 mm-1) were registered under drip irrigation. Rice straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1 also significantly increased the cotton yield (2,013 kg ha-1) and water use efficiency (2.92 kg ha-1 mm-1) over no mulching. A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons of 2001 and 2002 at Agronomy Research Farm of the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, to find out the effect of chemical weed control measures on correlation and regression studies in transplanted rice. The major weeds found were Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crusgalli, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus difformis, Fimbristylis miliacea and Ludwigia parviflora. Almix+2, 4-DEE 15+500 g/ha applied eight days after transplanting was found most effective in controlling weeds and maximizing rice grain yield. This was on par with hand weeding done thrice at 20, 40 and 60 days stage. Correlation and regression analysis revealed that increased level of weed dry weight significantly reduced the yield. Grain yield was negatively correlated with total weed density and their dry weight and positively correlated with the weed control efficiency, LAI and chlorophyll content and yield attributing characters during both the years. It was further observed from regression equation that every one gram of weed dry weight/m2 reduced the grain yield to the tune of 28.61 and 27.82 kg/ha in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Butachlor (N-(butoxymethyl) 2-choloro 2′, 6′-diethylacetanilide) belongs to chloroacetanilide group and is recommended as selective pre-emergence herbicide for both in transplanted rice grown under flooded conditions and in direct drilled seeded rice to control annual grasses, sedges and certain broad-leaved weeds. Though the herbicide usage contributes gainful increment in crop production by way of controlling the weeds and promoting the crop growth and development, yet it is also important to make proper use of herbicides. The reliance on herbicides may pose environmental hazards. The increasing use of recommended herbicide for rice in hilly state of north-western Himalayas has raised concern about its fate in environment. The most important consideration in chemical weed control is the persistence of herbicide in soil as it determines the period of weed control and its effect on crops in rotation. Therefore, the pattern of herbicide dissipation and its persistence in soil are important aspects to be investigated. Butachlor under field conditions was studied during kharif 2002 in mid hill zone of Himachal Pradesh in India. Butachlor was applied at four days of transplanting at three levels of application i. e. 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg ha-1. The initial deposits of butachlor in soil were found to be 0.58, 0.77 and 0.95 µg g-1 for butachlor 1.5 kg ha-1, butachlor 2.0 kg ha-1 and butachlor 2.5 kg ha-1 which after 60 days of herbicide application reached to non-detectable, 0.08 and 0.11 µg g-1, respectively. Thus, the corresponding per cent losses of butachlor were 100, 89.61 and 88.42%, respectively. Butachlor residue data revealed that herbicide in soil persisted upto 45 days after herbicide application at lower dose i. e. 1.5 kg ha-1, whereas at higher doses 2.0 and 2.5 kg ha-1 persisted upto 60 days. Disappearance of butachlor at all three levels of application fitted first order kinetics decay curve. Findings also revealed that butachlor persisted with a half life range of 12.1-21 days. ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2003-04 and 2004-05 at Ludhiana to study the performance of wheat genotypes under different planting and weed control methods on loamy sand soil, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen and medium in available P and K. Bread wheat genotype PBW 343 recorded higher values of yield attributing characters resulting in significantly higher grain yield than durum wheat cultivar PDW 274. Bed planting method recorded significantly lower Phalaris minor population (14.8%) and higher grain yield as compared to flat sowing. Among weed control methods, chemical weed control with clodinafop 0.06 kg ha-1 and integrated weed control (clodinafop 0.045 kg ha-1+HW/MW) proved significantly superior to hand/mechanical weeding and weedy check Rabi sorghum is an important dryland crop of north Karnataka and is the major source of food and fodder. Several production technologies have been recommended by the research stations but in most cases farmers have either not adopted or only partially adopted. Hence, it seems clear that technologies have to be evaluated by taking into account the farmers’ environment, and with farmers’ active participation. In the present study integrated production technologies comprising moisture conservation practices, nutrient management practices and different cultivars were evaluated in 61 farmers’ fields of Bijapur and Raichur districts of Karnataka over two years (2001-02 and 2002-03). A split plot design was adopted with plot size of 80 m2 per treatment. The results revealed that the moisture conservation practice of ‘compartmental bunding’ increased grain yield and fodder yield by 14 and 19%, respectively. The increase in grain and fodder yield due to integrated nutrient management practice was upto 28 and 35%, respectively. Among the three cultivars, CSV 216R was found superior to CSH 15R and M 35-1, for grain and fodder yield. The benefit : cost ratio was significantly superior for compartmental bunding and for cultivar CSV 216R, compared to farmers’ normal practices. ABSTRACT A pot culture experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effect of broiler litter compost in combination with different organic manures [goat dung, green manure (Tephrosia purpurea), crop residue (groundnut) and recommended dose of NPK] on the germination, biometric and yield parameters of beet root (Beta vulgaris L.). The biometric parameters were evaluated on 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing (DAS). The yield parameters were evaluated on 90 DAS. The treatment consisting of broiler litter compost alone showed significant results. Rabi sorghum in Karnataka is grown as post-rainy season crop under stored moisture in medium to deep black soil. The moisture availability and the nutrient management are the two important factors that determine the productivity in rabi sorghum. The modification in dates of sowing alters the extent and duration of moisture availability to the crop, which in turn influences the uptake of applied nutrients. In the present study, response of improved rabi sorghum hybrid ‘CSH 15R’ to different sowing dates and nutrient management practices was assessed over two years (2001-02 and 2002-03) by adopting split plot design. The results indicated that the normal date of sowing (1st fortnight of October) followed by earlier sowing (2nd fortnight of September) significantly increased grain yield by 36 and 18%, respectively, over the late sown crop (2nd fortnight of October). The incorporation of Glyricidia green leaf manure, and RDF+FYM+Azospirillum (2% seed inoculation) resulted in 1.42 and 1.35 t/ha of grain yield, respectively, and were superior to other treatments. The grain size increased signficantly in early sown and green leaf manured crop. It was revealed that, by using organic matter such as Glyricidia green leaf manuring, almost the same amount of grain and fodder yields could be obtained as that of inorganically grown rabi sorghum. The study also indicated the need to develop cultivars for advanced date of sowing which can flower and mature in fixed number of days so that losses due to terminal moisture stress can be minimized. A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soils of Rajendranagar campus of Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University during rabi 2001-02. The treatments consisted of four varieties (TMV-2, TPT-2, TAG-24 and K-134) and three plant densities (3.33, 4.44 and 6.67 lakh plants ha-1). Growth characters viz., plant height, total dry matter production, leaf area index (LAI), leaf area ratio (LAR) and pod yield were higher with K-134 compared to rest of the varieties at maturity. Plant height, LAI and LAR were higher with a plant density of 6.67 lakh plants ha-1. Total dry matter production and pod yield were with 4.44 lakh plants ha-1. Days taken to 50% flowering and maturity increased with each increase in plant density from 3.33 to 6.67 lakh plants ha-1. ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soils of Rajendranagar campus of Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University during rabi 2001-02. The treatments consisted of four varieties (TMV-2, TPT-2, TAG-24 and K-134) and three plant densities (3.33, 4.44 and 6.67 lakh plants ha-1). Among the varieties, K-134 (Vemana) recorded maximum pod yield, gross returns, net returns and benefit : cost ratio compared to TPT-2, TAG-24 and TMV-2. Whereas among the plant densities a plant density of 4.44 lakh plants ha-1 recorded maximum pod yield, gross returns, net returns and benefit : cost ratio compared to 3.33 and 6.67 lakh plants ha-1. A pot culture experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effect of broiler litter compost in combination with different organic manures [goat dung, green manure (Tephrosia purpurea) , crop residue (groundnut) and recommended dose of NPK] on the biochemical parameters of beet root (Beta vulgaris L.). The biochemical parameters such as chlorophyll ‘a’, chlorophyll ‘b’, total chlorophyll, protein and ascorbic acid were evaluated on 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing (DAS). The treatment consisting of broiler litter compost alone showed significant results The experiment was carried out to find out the influence of pre- and post-harvest chemical treatments on physical characteristics of PKM 1 sapota fruits. Treatments with growth regulator GA3, chemicals like CaCl2, Ca (NO3)2 and KCl were used both as pre-harvest spray and post-harvest dip. Pre-harvest spray of 50 ppm GA3 with post-harvest dipping of GA3 50 ppm alongwith bavistin recorded lowest physiological loss of weight, reduction in fruit length and girth, increased shelf life and reduced spoilage. The pre-harvest spray of 50 ppm GA3 with post-harvest dipping of CaCl2 1% alongwith bavistin recorded highest firmness. The reason attributed may be due to the exogenous application of GA3 which slowed down the process of ripening by retarding the pre-climacteric respiration rate and subsequently on ethylene production and bavistin preventing pathogenic infection by antifungal activity. ABSTRACT Studies on the stability analysis of egg plant genotypes revealed significant mean squares due to seasons, indicating variable expression of the traits in the different seasons. The results on environmental indices revealed rainy season to be congenial for fruit yield per plant, days to first picking, plant height and majority of the fruit characters, while summer season was observed to be ideal for fruits per plant, and late summer for primary branches per plant. Further, the partitioning of season+(season x genotype) mean squares revealed higher magnitudes of season (linear), compared to genotype x season (linear), indicating that predictable component accounted for the major part of total variation observed for fruit yield per plant. However, mean squares due to pooled deviation were also observed to be significant for fruit yield per plant and the yield attributes studied, with the exception of fruit diameter, indicating the role of both predictable and unpredictable components in the differential response of the genotypes for stability of these traits. Studies on the stability of the genotypes also indicated greater number of genotypes with predictable response for fruit yield per plant and majority of the yield component characters studied. Further, among the genotypes with predictable response, genotypes exhibiting stability for specific environments were observed to be higher in number, compared to the genotypes exhibiting stability for wider environments. The parents, PLR 1 and JBPR 1 were observed to be stable for fruit yield and few yield contributing characters, while the hybrids, PLR 1 x JBPR 1, Morvi 4-2 x JBPR 1 and Surati Ravaiya x JBPR 1 were identified as high yielding and stable hybrids suitable for cultivation during all the seasons studied. ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted at Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi during kharif seasons of 2003-04 and 2004-05 to study the integrated effect of bio-inoculants (Azotobacter and PSM) alongwith organic and inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield of cabbage. The results showed that the integrated treatments had significant and positive effect on the growth parameters (stem length, number of primary roots, number of wrapper leaves, number of outer leaves, head length and head diameter) and yield parameters (fresh weight of head and yield). The study suggested a saving of inorganic fertilizer due to combined use of bio-inoculants and organic fertilizer. ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted during rabi (winter) seasons of 2003-04 and 2004-05 to study the effect of fertility levels, growth regulators, and biofertilizers on nutrient contents and uptake of field pea var. Arkel. The N, P, K and S contents in pea grain in P0S0 were 3.85, 1.13, 1.47 and 0.09%, whereas in straw 2.95, 0.75, 1.16 and 0.08%, respectively. The corresponding total N, P, K and S uptake values in grain+straw were 96.04, 26.87, 37.40 and 2.69 kg/ha. Increasing levels of phosphorus and sulphur upto P60S45 encouraged the uptake of these nutrients significantly. Triacontanol (Vipul) with biofertilizers gave the highest uptake of these nutrients. The combined application of P60S45 with triacontanol (Vipul) with biofertilizers further augmented these nutrients. A field experiment was conducted during December-May (2003-04) with tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) var. PKM 1 as a test crop in Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai to study the influence of different organic N sources viz., FYM, vermicompost and coir pith compost with biofertilizers on the soil physical properties, nutrient availability, biological properties, yield, nutrient uptake and quality of tomato. Based on N content of the organic N sources on dry weight basis, the quantity required for the substitution of recommended doses at 50, 75 and 100% level was worked out and applied alongwith 2 kg Azospirillum. Application of different organic N sources had conspicuously increased the yield of tomato over the control. Among the different organic N sources, application of 75% N as vermicompost with Azospirillum recorded 45% higher yield of tomato fruits followed by 75% coir pith compost with Azospirillum over the control and application of 100 and 50% organics with Azospirillum also produced higher yield over the control. Besides the treatment, which has received different organics with Azospirillum significantly improved the quality parameters such as titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total soluble solids, crude protein, crude fibre, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, lycopene and their nutrient content of tomato as compared to other treatment combination. ABSTRACT Fourteen parents and their 45 F1s of chillies from a line x tester cross were evaluated for fruit yield and its components over three environments. Highly significant variation was observed due to genotypes and environments for all the 10 characters studied except fruit girth. The genotype x environment interactions were significant for all the characters except days to first flowering. The genotypes PKM 1, K 1, K 2, CO 1, Exotic type-1, Exotic type-2 and G 4 were found to be good general combiners and six cross combinations viz., PKM 1 x Exotic type-1, K 1 x Exotic type-1, CO 1 x Exotic type-1, K 1 x G 4, Exotic type-2 x G 4 and CO 1 x G 4 were identified as specific combiners for fruit yield and other related traits. ABSTRACT Variability was found high for grain yield per plant, while it was low for amylose content in the material under study. Additive gene action was found to be important for grain length, grain yield per plant and 100-grain weight, whereas both additive and non-additive gene actions were important for grain breadth, grain length : breadth ratio and protein content. High heritability alongwith low genetic advance was exhibited for amylose content only indicating that this trait was under the influence of environment. Remaining traits exhibited high heritability alongwith high to moderate genetic advance suggesting that these characters could be of great importance for selecting better genotypes in rice improvement programmes. Association analysis revealed that all the traits showed non-significant association with grain yield. Thus, it is evident from the present investigation that all the characters can be improved in a genotype without any adverse effect on grain yield per plant. Relative efficiency of index selection based on biological yield, tillers per plant, panicle length, number of the spikelets on the main panicle and days to 50% flowering over the straight selection for yielding ability was investigated in 43 genotypes of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The index based on biological yield per plant and tillers per plant was as efficient as the straight selection for grain yield. The efficiency further improved to 11.15, 21.50 and 26.25% over the straight selection for grain yield with the stepwise incorporation of panicle length, number of spikelets on the main panicle and days to 50% flowering in the index based on biological yield per plant and tillers per plant. In view of the economics, the index based on biological yield per plant, tillers per plant, panicle length and number of the spikelets on the main panicle would be effective in improving yield in rice. Genetic variability, correlations and path coefficients were studied in sugarcane taking 40 phenotypically diverse genotypes, which were planted in randomized block design. The study revealed highly significant differences among the 40 genotypes for all the characters. All the characters under study indicated the ample variation of these characters. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance observed for single cane weight (kg) and CCS (t/ha) indicated the presence of additive gene action and direct selection may be highly effective. Correlation coefficient revealed that cane yield was found to be significantly and positively correlated with number of shoots per ha, single cane weight, stalk length, stalk diameter, number of internodes and N. M. C. per ha at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis indicated the highest positive direct effect of CCS (t/ha) on cane yield. Based on findings it can be suggested that for improving cane yield in sugarcane more emphasis should be given to single cane weight, NMC/ha and CCS (t/ha). ABSTRACT Three selection methods viz., bulk, individual plant selection (IPS) and single pod descent (SPD) methods were compared for their efficiency in four single cross irradiated F3M3 populations involving selected donors for pod number, seed weight in combination with recommended varieties of blackgram. The progenies advanced through SPD method exhibited high variability, heritability and genetic advance for all the seven traits under study indicating superiority of the SPD method of selection irrespective of parents involved in cross combination. Two quantitative traits viz., number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight for which selected donors were used, had higher PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance in irradiated single cross-4 (Manikya x 216), single cross 1 (TAU-1 x 169) and single cross-3 (Manikya x 169) populations. For seed yield per plant single cross 1 (TAU-1 x 169), population exhibited high PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance parameters. ABSTRACT Phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients and path coefficients were worked out in 43 diverse genotypes of upland cotton. Days to 50% flowering, plant height, sympodial branches per plant, bolls per plant and tenacity at 3.2 mm showed significant positive correlation with seed cotton yield per plant. Simultaneous selection of plant height, sympodial branches per plant and bolls per plant will increase the seed cotton yield automatically since these characters are inter-correlated among themselves. Path coefficient analysis revealed that bolls per plant exhibited very high positive direct effect on seed cotton yield. The indirect effect of most of the traits on seed cotton yield is through bolls per plant. Hence, due consideration may be given to bolls per plant for manipulation of seed cotton yield. A field study was initiated to document the seasonal incidence of various coleopteran pests in relation to weather conditions in mango ecosystem and was carried out at the mango orchard of S. V. Agricultural College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The incidence of new flush, fruit and stem damaging coleopterans viz., flea weevil, Rhynchaenus mangiferae Marshall, leaf twisting weevil, Apoderus transquebaricus Fabricius, leaf cutting weevil, Deporus marginatus Pasue, ash weevil, Myllocerus discolor Boheman, stone weevil, Sternochaetus mangiferae Fabricius and stem borer, Batocera rufomaculata Degear prevailed during August to January, April and June and July-February, respectively. Among the coleopterans, the stone weevil, Sternochaetus mangiferae Fabricius caused highest yield and quality losses in mango. The study also concluded that R. mangiferae, A. transquebaricus, D. marginatus and M. discolor had negative correlation with minimum and maximum temperature; positive correlation with rainfall and relative humidity. While, stone weevil, S. mangiferae and stem borer, B. rufomaculata were positively correlated with maximum and minimum temperature and negatively correlated with relative humidity and rainfall. The influence of ecological factors viz., biotic (host plant) and biotic factors (weather parameters) on the abundance and population fluctuation of mango hopper, Amritodes atkinsoni Lethier on mango under the conditions of Chittoor district was worked out. The peak incidence of hoppers was observed during third week of January (85.0 hoppers per 12 inflorescences). Correlation studies between incidence and weather parameters showed negative relationship with minimum temperature, relative humidity evening and rainfall (r=-0.2038, r=-0.4371 and r=-0.2358, respectively) and positive relationship with maximum temperature (r=0.3406) and morning relative humidity (r=0.0646). None of the varieties was free from infestation and the infestation ranged from 16.96 to 107.6 hoppers/12 panicles. Variety Baneshan showed less infestation, while Mulgoa showed severe infestation and other varieties viz., Bangalora, Rumari, Cherakurasam, Neeleshan and Swarnajahangir have moderate infestation. Result of the study also revealed that old mango trees (15 and above years old) were more susceptible (66.0 hopper/12 panicles) to hopper damage than young trees (0-5 years old). R. R. RATHOD, S. K. SHIVANKAR AND S. S. SHINDE [Evaluation of fungicides, neem product and plant leaf extracts in vivo against Alternaria leaf blight of wheat]. Crop Res. 32(2) : 243- 249 (2006). Department of Plant Pathology Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola-444 001 (Maharashtra), India. ABSTRACT The field trial was conducted at Wheat Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola during 2001-02 and 2002-03 for the management of Alternaria leaf blight disease of wheat by using four different fungicides, a neem product and two plant leaf extracts. Out of these mancozeb (0.25%) was significantly superior as there was less disease intensity (23.15%). It was followed by carbendazim @ 0.1% (27.62%), blitox-50 @ 0.25% (31.51%) and L. camera leaf extract @ 5% (33.08%). While plant height was significantly higher (95.09 cm) in mancozeb than all the treatments but it was at par with carbendazim (94.35 cm), blitox-50 (93.30 cm) and L. camera leaf extract (92.23 cm). Mancozeb recorded significantly higher earhead length (10.73 cm) and was found at par with carbendazim, which showed 10.22 cm earhead length. Also it was found significantly best with recording of 41.41 grains earhead-1 followed by carbendazim and blitox-50, which obtained 39.20 and 36.80 grains earhead-1. The spraying of mancozeb gave highest 1000-grain weight (46.36 g) followed by carbendazim (44.76 g) and blitox-50 (41.63 g). Also significantly higher grain yield plot-1 (29.38 q ha-1) was noted by mancozeb and followed by carbendazim (28.16 q ha-1). In order to find out inter-relationship between grain yield and morphological and yield attributing characters, it was observed that grain yield was significantly and positively associated with plant height, earhead length, number of grains earhead-1 and 1000-grain weight. In incremental cost : benefit ratio it was calculated that the spraying of mancozeb obtained maximum money value from yied i. e. Rs. 24973 ha-1 and additional income over control was Rs. 9554 ha-1 with highest cost : benefit ratio of 1 : 5.76. The results of the preliminary year’s experiment on female to male planting ratio and staggered sowing of male parent in DHH-543 cotton hybrid seed production conducted during 2001-02 showed shortage of male flowers in 3 : 1 (female : male) planting ratio. The results of slightly modified experiment of 2002-03 indicated that the planting ratio of 2 : 1 (female : male) and staggered sowing of 10% male alongwith female and 30% each one, two and three weeks later than female were found to be optimum in order to get better synchronisation of female and male parents by efficient utilisation of male flowers and to obtain higher hybrid seed yield with better quality. ABSTRACT An investigation was carried out to evaluate the seed quality parameters of DHB-290 as influenced by planting ratio and staggered sowing of male parent. Among the planting ratios, the seed quality parameters such as seed index, root length, shoot length, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index were significantly higher in 2 : 1 ratio and among the staggered sowings, staggered sowing of 10% male one week before, and 30% each alongwith, one and two weeks after female gave better seed quality parameters compared to other staggered sowings. While the germination percentage and germination rate index were not significantly influenced by planting ratio and staggered sowing of male parent. ABSTRACT The influence of five crossing periods viz., first crossing period (C1) to last crossing period (C5) each with 15 days interval was studied for seed quality parameters. The seeds obtained from the boll set at first three crossing periods (C1, C2 and C3) gave higher seed index, germination percentage, shoot length, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index as compared to those seeds obtained from the later crossed bolls (C4 and C5). However, the germination percentage even in fourth and fifth crossing periods recorded above the level of minimum seed certification standards (75%). Hence, the seeds obtained from all the five fortnight crossings in DHH-543 intra-hirsutum hybrid seed production can be used as seed for commercial sowing. ABSTRACT The seed yield and its attributing characters at five different crossing periods each with 15 days interval in DHB-290 cotton hybrid seed production were studied. The number of flowers crossed, crossed bolls picked and seed yield increased from initial (C1) crossing period and reached maximum at third (C3) and fourth (C4) fortnight crossing period, respectively, during 2001-02 and 2002-03. While the seed yield attributing characters such as boll setting percentage, boll weight, seed weight per boll and seed index decreased from the initial (C1) crossing period to the last one (C5) during both the years. ABSTRACT A two-year pot culture study, conducted during 1996 and 1997 at J. N. K. V. V., Mandsaur to evaluate moisture-light effects on residues of herbicides applied to isabgol, showed that significantly higher germination, growth characters and vigour of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) crop were obtained under moist shaded condition being responsible for biodegradation as compared to moist sun exposed condition being responsible for photodegradation and control condition, indicating that there was rapid biodegradation of herbicide rather than photodegradation. Herbicides (isoproturon at 0.5-1.0 kg ha-1, pendimethalin at 0.5-0.75 kg ha-1, fluchloralin at 0.5-0.75 kg ha-1, alachlor granules at 0.5-1.0 kg ha-1 and 2, 4-D Na salt at 0.4-0.8 kg ha-1) applied to isabgol did not cause significant reduction in germination, growth and vigour of cucumber, indicating that there was no residual toxicity of herbicide residues on the germination and growth of cucumber grown on post-harvest soils in pot culture due to rapid biodegradation. Herbicide x moisture-light interactions were found non-significant for all plant growth characters except flowers per node which were significantly higher under 2, 4-D Na salt at 0.4 kg ha-1 x moist shaded combination over all other combinations.
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