Volume 34, Number 1, 2 & 3 (July, September & November, 2007)
ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soils during rabi 2003 and 2004 at S. V. Agricultural College, Tirupati Campus of A. N. G. R. Agricultural University to evaluate the combination of different puddling and water as well as weed management practices on growth and yield of transplanted rice. Intensive puddling with continuous submergence (5 cm) recorded significantly the highest of growth parameters like plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production and total number of tillers/m2 due to lower dry weight of weeds over normal puddling with irrigation at one day after disappearance of ponded water. All the above growth parameters in intensive puddling with continuous submergence were comparable with intensive puddling with irrigation at one day after disappearance of ponded water. On an average, the increase in grain and straw yield was 40.10 and 27.22% in intensive puddling with continuous submergence and 31.18 and 26.36% in intensive puddling with irrigation at one day after disappearance of ponded water, respectively, over normal puddling with irrigation at one day after disappearance of ponded water. Pre-emergence application of oxadiargyl at 75 g a. i./ha+HW at 40 DAT recorded the highest values of all the growth parameters and reduced the weed dry weight significantly than rest of the weed management practices; however, it was on par with HW twice at 20 and 40 DAT. The former weed management practices increased the number of tillers/m2 by 23.39 and 21.0, and dry matter production of crop by 30.7 and 28.25% over unweeded check. Unweeded check recorded 28.32 and 23.0% lower grain and straw yields, respectively, over oxadiargyl at 75 g a. i/ha+HW at 40 DAT. A two-year field investigation showed that under late-planted conditions in Telangana region, among three ages of seedlings, the N uptake by rice was significantly higher in 30-day old seedlings throughout its growth, whereas in grain it was significantly higher in the crop transplanted with 45-day old seedling as compared to 30 and 60-day old seedlings. Application of 75% RDFN+25 kg GM-N+25 kg PM-N recorded the highest NPK uptake by rice at the all the stages of crop growth which was significantly superior to application of 100% RDN through different sources (N1, N2, N3, N4 and N8). This was due to higher availability of N, P2O5 and K2O in the soil in farmer treatment compared to later treatments. Application of 125 and 100% RDN through different sources resulted in comparable nutrient uptake within the applied nutrient level. This indicates the possibility of substitution of 50 kg of 125% and 25 kg of 100% RDN through different organic sources. ABSTRACT Integrated nitrogen management is an imperative to convince the today’s crop production in a sustainable way. It is feasible for saving of N by capitalizing a novel tool, so-called leaf colour chart (LCC) for the top dressing of N in rice crop. In the present study, two hybrids were taken for the LCC based N top dressing with/without green manure as basal incorporation a week prior to transplanting. Amoung the hybrids studied PA 6201 performed excellent by registering more number of panicles/m2 (406.6 and 413.3), filled grains/panicle (107.4 and 109.5) and grain yield of 7363 and 7555 kg/ha during kharif 2000 and 2001, respectively. The same hybrid also maintained elevated level of leaf nitrogen concentration throughout the crop period that the hybrid CoRH 2 in both the seasons. Basal incorporation of green manure @ 6.25 t/ha with LCC grade 5 based top dressing (N4) of N was found to be superior in both the hybrids over remaining treatments in terms of higher yield attributes viz., number of panicles/m2 (451 and 453), filled grains/panicle (115 and 117) and grain yield of 8035 and 8238 kg/ha during kharif 2000 and 2001, respectively, and also it maintained higher leaf N concentration till maturity. By adopting LCC grade 5 based N top dressing with green manure incorporation had facilitated to save N to a tune of 50 kg/ha per crop than the recommended dose, basides it also gave higher net return by reducing the cost of production in particularly edging out higher inorganic fertilizers without affecting the grain yield. On perusal of the results obtained blanket recommendation of 200 kg N/ha was found promising than further saving of N through LCC grade 4 based N application in the both the seasons. Thus, the N saving through leaf colour chart and green manuring was possible in rice hybrids which was proved by the study.
ABSTRACT The results of laboratory incubation experiment showed that application of Si as calcium silicate at lower and higher level resulted in an increase in the content of available P and Si in soil. Application of Fe at either level caused an increase in the content of available Si, but a decrease in the content of available P in soil. Combined application of Si and Fe recorded a synergistic influence on the content of Si but no appreciable change in the content of available P in soil.
ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2003 at Ludhiana to study the effect of date of transplanting, plant population and nitrogen level on growth and phenology of basmati rice. Date of transplanting did not influence the dry matter accumulation, stem diameter and internode length. Delayed transplanting of basmati rice significantly reduced chlorophyll ‘a’, chlorophyll ‘b’ as well as total chlorophyll content. Different plant population treatments did not affect the chlorophyll content, stem diameter, internode length and dry matter accumulation. Nitrogen application also did not influence stem diameter, chlorophyll ‘b’ and internode length. However, chlorophyll ‘a’ and total chlorophyll increased significantly with each incremental dose of nitrogen as compared to control. Maximum chlorophyll ‘a’ and chlorophyll ‘b’ were recorded at 40 kg N/ha, while total chlorophyll (9.595 mg/g of fresh tissue) was highest at 60 kg N/ha. Maximum dry matter accumulation of 88.7 q/ha was obtained with the application of nitrogen @ 60 kg N/ha. The observations on crop phenology indicated that the crop transplanted on 5 July took 26.5 days to 50% tillering, 66.4 days to 50% booting, 87.2 days to 50% heading and 118.9 days for physiological maturity, whereas the crop transplanted on 25 July took 23.3 days for tillering, 55.4 days of 50% booting, 70.7 days for 50% heading and 108.4 days for physiological maturity. Different plant population levels took almost same number of days for attaining various phenological growth stages. Application of different levels of nitrogen resulted in early tillering, booting, heading and physiological maturity as compared to control. ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2003 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jagtial to study the effect of different crop establishment methods in rice. Puddle seeding @ 200 seeds/m2 recorded significantly lower number of days for attaining 50% flowering and maturity and recorded significantly higher number of tillers/m2 as well as panicles followed by puddle seeding @ 200 seeds/m2 in 25 cm lines. The maximum panicle length ws recorded with dibbling of sprouted seeds at 25 x 25 cm spacing, number of filled grains per panicle was highest with SRI method than puddle seeding. Among different rice establishment techniques, SRI method recorded the highest grain yield (7100 kg/ha); however, it was on par with transplanting 20-day old seedlings at 25 x 25 cm spacing and puddle seeding @ 200 seeds/m2 in 25 cm lines. A field experiment was conducted in a fine loamy mixed hyperthermic Typic Haplustept soil during rabi 2004-05 to study the effect of fly ash and FYM on rice yield and soil enzyme activities. The grain and straw yield of rice was significantly increased with fly ash, FYM and their interactions. The highest grain (5.84 t/ha) and straw yield (7.87 t/ha) was recorded by combined application of fly ash @ 10 t/ha and FYM @ 10 t/ha which was on par with fly ash @ 15 t/ha alongwith FYM @ 10 t/ha. Application of fly ash @ 15 t/ha alongwith FYM @ 10 t/ha has resulted in highest urease, dehydrogenase and cellulase activity at 30 DAT (4.48 µg of NH4+ released/g soil/h, 5.37 mg of TPF produced/g/soil/d and 3.50 mg of glucose released/g soil/d), 60 DAT (4.80 µg of NH4+ released/g soil/h, 5.47 mg of TPF produced/g soil/d and 3.32 mg of glucose released/g soil/d) and at harvest (2.53 µg of NH4+ released/g soil/h, 3.07 mg of TPF produced/g soil/d and 2.16 mg of glucose released/g soil/d), respectively, which was on par with application of fly ash @ 10 t/ha alongwith FYM @ 10 t/ha and significantly higher over control. The acid and alkaline phosphatase activity was not influenced by fly ash levels at all the stages viz., 30, 60 DAT and at harvest. However, it was significantly influenced by FYM application and their interactions. ABSTRACT A field experiment was carried out to find out the response of wheat to nitrogen scheduling and residue management under differnt tillage practices in soybean-wheat sequence during rabi seasons of 2003 and 2004 at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Conventional tillage produced higher grain yield as compared to zero tillage. Moreover, removal of soybean residue also resulted in higher grain yield. Splitting of nitrogen failed to produce significant variation in grain yield of wheat.
ABSTRACT Wheat-corn-soybean cropping system was found suitable for the hilly areas of South China where the light and heat are available abundantly. The use of new crop genotypes and straw coverage technique made it possible to adopt this system of cropping successfully. The conservation techniques also helped to retain soil and water on the slopes for longer times. In this cropping system, the cost of production reduced markedly with the adoption of simple tillage methods of soybean planting. During recent years, this cropping system has gained popularity in South China and covered about 200 thousand hectare area. This article describes the cultural requirements for obtaining higher yields of crops in wheat-corn-soybean cropping system. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of integrated use of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers in pearl millet-sunflower crop rotation in medium black soil under rainfed conditions for six kharif seasons of 1999 to 2004 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bijapur, Karnataka. Results of five years (2000-04) indicated that pearl millet grain equivalent yield, net returns and benefit : cost ratio were higher with application of 75% of the recommended N through inorganic fertilizer+25% N through FYM to pearl millet (3561 kg/ha) followed by 50% N through inorganic fertilizer+35% N through FYM (3445 kg/ha) and 50% N through inorganic fertilizer+50% N through vermicompost (3393 kg/ha) as against 2917 kg/ha of grain yield obtained with application of 100% recommended N through inorganic fertilizer alone. Net returns and B : C ratio were also higher with application of 75% N through inorganic fertilizer+25% N through FYM to pearl millet (Rs.10208/ha and 2.62, respectively) over application of 100% N as inorganic fertilizer (Rs.7857 and 2.35, respectively) and it was comparable with application of 50% N as inorganic+50% N as FYM to pearl millet (Rs. 8776/ha and 2.38, respectively). Application of 100% RDF to sunflower in the next succeeding season was found to give higher pearl millet equivalent yield, net returns and B : C ratio (3395 kg/ha, Rs. 8928/ha and 2.33, respectively) compared to application of only 50% RDF (2962 kg/ha, Rs. 7454/ha and 2.29, respectively). Pearl millet equivalent system productivity of pearl millet-sunflower crop rotation at the third cycle of crop rotation (2003 and 2004) showed that application of 50% N through inorganic fertilizer+50% N through vermicompost recorded higher productivity (5386 kg/ha) and it was on a par with application of 50% N through inorganic fertilizer+ 50% N through FYM (5309 kg/ha) and 75% N through inorganic fertilizer+25% N through FYM (5096 kg/ha) compared to application of 100% N through inorganic fertilizer alone (4493 kg/ha). However, net returns and B : C ratio were significantly higher with application of 75% N through inorganic fertilizer+25% N through FYM to pearl millet compared to application of 100% N through inorganic fertilizer alone in both second and third cycles of crop rotation. In sunflower, pearl millet equivalent system productivity and net returns were significantly higher with application of 100% RDF compared to application of only 50% RDF in both second and third cycles of crop rotation. ABSTRACT A study was undertaken to evaluate the magnitude of heterosis, mean performance and combining ability variances and effects using three male sterile lines, 27 male pollinators and their 81 crosses in line x tester design in pearl millet for grain yield and component characters. The resultant F1s alongwith parents and one standard check hybrid RHB 121 were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications at Agricultural Research Station, Mandor during kharif 2003. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters. Mean sum of squares due to parents vs. hybrids were significant for all the characters indicating presence of heterosis. The estimates of s2gca and s2sca variances were significant for most of the characters and the ratio s2gca/s2sca indicated the importance of non-additive gene actions in the inheritance. Male steile lines ICMA 96666 and ICMA 95444 and pollinators MIB 232, MIB 211, MIB 50, MIB 206, MIB 235, MIB 140, MIB 122 and MIB 93 were found good general combiners for majority of characters. Hybrid combinations ICMA 97111 x MIB 232, ICMA 96666 x MIB 94, ICMA 96666 x MIB 140, ICMA 95444 x MIB 40 and ICMA 96666 x MIB 50 showed high mean performance, high sca effects for grain yield per plant and component characters. Heterosis was to the extent of 16.5 and 406.5% over the standard check hybrid RHB 121 and better parent, respectively, for seed yield per plant.
ABSTRACT A field study was carried out during the kharif seasons of 2003 and 2004 to study the effect of tillage, seed rate and weed control method on growth and developmental processes in maize (Zea mays L.). Plant height, plant dry matter accumulation and grain yield were significantly higher under till treatment compared to no-till during both the years. Significant variations in plant height and barren plants during 2003 and plant dry matter accumulation and grain yield per effective plant during both the years were observed due to different seed rate and maximum values were recorded with 16 kg seed/ha. Whereas initial plant stand, plant stand at harvest, effective plants/ha during both the years and grain yield during 2003 were significantly highest with 24 kg seed/ha. Two hand weedings resulted in significantly higher plant dry matter accumulation and grain yield as compared to rest of the weed control methods during both the years.
ABSTRACT In long term experiments on fertilizer nutrients and manures, the original data are of zig-zag in nature and there is a need to apply trend-fitting techniques to develop smooth trends to enable interpretation of the data in a better way. The treatment-wise yield data of the sorghum crop in cropping sequence groundnut-wheat-sorghum at Junagadh centres of the then Gujarat Agricultural University for 18 years were used. Eight different polynomial models with varying degrees were tried using the moving average values. The polynomial model Y = A + B/X1/2 + C/X + D/X3/2 emerged as the best fit trend equation in case of sorghum crop at Junagadh. This model explained 63 to 97% of yield variations due to different treatments. In general, all the treatments showed continuous declining trend in the yield. ABSTRACT Field experiments were conducted with sugarcane crop in sandy loam soil to study the long term effect of post bio-methanated sugar distillery effluent (PME) on soil properties and yield of sugarcane during 2001-04. The PME was applied at different dilutions viz., 1 : 10T, 1 : 20T, 1 : 30T, 1 : 40T and 1 : 50T. The PME alongwith irrigation water at different dilutions significantly increased the sugarcane yield and highest cane yield was recorded at 1 : 10T dilution in all the four experiments. The results revealed that the pH of the soil was changed to near neutral and there was no significant change observed on the EC of the soil. The organic carbon and available NPK content of the post-harvest soil had significantly built up over the years in the PME applied plots when compared to the control. The 1 : 10T dilution treatment recorded the highest built up of 96, 17.5 and 372 kg/ha available NPK when compared to the other treatments over the initial control cumulatively in four years. ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted to study the effect of trash application on yield and quality of seasonal sugarcane at Central Research Station Dr. P. D. K. V., Akola (M. S.) during the season 2002-03. Results indicated that the number of millable cane, cane and sugar yield were influenced significantly due to quantity and method of trash application and use of decomposting culture. But quantity, method of trash application and also use of decomposting culture did not show any remarkable effects on juice quality of sugarcane. Studies were carried out to assess the changes in oil, free fatty acid and protein contents, dehydrogenase activity and histological changes during storage of rainfed and irrigated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds. Oil and protein contents and dehydrogenase activity were decreased, while free fatty acid content increased with increase in storage period. During the course of ageing of seeds, the parenchymatic cells got elongated, but were more pronounced in irrigated seeds and attained complete coalescence of cells. But in rainfed seeds, even at the end of the storage period of 10 months, the cells did not reach the stage of coalescence. ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2003 on red sandy loam at Agricultural College Farm, Raichur to find out optimum dose of fertilizer to intercropping system so as to assess the economic feasibility and land equivalent ratio. Application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer on area basis to both the component crops in groundnut and sunflower intercropping system significantly increased the yield of both the crops over unfertilized control and other lower doses of fertilizers. The maximum groundnut equivalent yield (19.74 and 20.06 q/ha) and land equivalent ratio (1.44 and 1.52), gross returns (Rs. 35,954 and 36,537/ha), net returns (Rs. 23,749 and 24,237/ha) and benefit : cost ratio (2.95 and 2.97) were recorded when full recommended dose of fertilizer was applied to the both the component crops of the system (T2 and T8, respectively). ABSTRACT One hundred accessions of groundnut selected for water use efficiency were evaluated for character contribution to oil yield. The correlation coefficients indicated strong and inherent association between the characters. Oil yield possessed significant and positive association with number of matured pods per plant, pod yield per plant, shelling percentage, kernel yield per plant, haulm yield per plant, harvest index, oil content and chlorophyll content. Path analysis revealed high direct effects of kernel yield, number of matured pods per plant and chlorophyll content on oil yield per plant. Therefore, it would be rewarding to lay due emphasis on the selection of these characters for rapid improvement of oil yield. Studies on occurrence and intensity of the drought during crop growing season revealed the effect of moisture stress on the groundnut yields in the drylands. Twenty years of rainfall data recorded at Tirupati were analysed for drought classification by using aridity index as yard stick on annual and monthly basis which was in turn correlated with corresponding groundnut yields. Though some years were normal rainfall years, groundnut yields were low due to uneven distribution of rainfall during crop growing season. Moisture stress during July and September coincided with moisture critical periods compared to August and October. By adopting moisture conservative methods during July and September months enhanced the groundnut yields in the drylands of Tirupati.
ABSTRACT In long term experiments on fertilizer nutrients and manures, the original data are of zig-zag in nature and there is a need to apply trend-fitting techniques to develop smooth trends to enable interpretation of the data in a better way. The treatment-wise yield data of the groundnut crop in cropping sequence groundnut-wheat-sorghum at Junagadh centres of the then Gujarat Agricultural University for 14 years were used. Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) methods were employed to fit the trends. Among the different ARIMA models tried, the ARIMA (1,1,0) model was found to be best fitting trend equation. The increase in yield during the initial phase upto the maxima, followed by a decrease in yield during the middle phase upto the minima and then increase in yield moderately at the final stage of the experiment was the characteristic of the trend for the groundnut crop. ABSTRAC Weeds decrease pod yield of groundnut by competing for soil moisture, nutrients and light. Weed control is an activity proved more labour intensive than any other activity in crop production. Celosia (Celosia argentea Linn.), a late weed in groundnut, is problematic, since it interferes not only for nutrients and moisture during the crucial pod development stage, but also with the harvest of the groundnut crop. Hence, field experiments were conducted on the alfisols of the Agricultural Research Station, Anantapur during kharif season from 2002 to 2003, with the treatments consisting of both mechanical and chemical methods of weed control. The results indicated that the pod yield of groundnut was highest in hand pulling of Celosia at 70 days after sowing (DAS) followed by no control measures of Celosia. Celosia weed in groundnut can be effectively controlled by hand pulling at 70 DAS or by using pendimethalin or butachlor and the use of herbicides will be costly. The yield attributes of groundnut like shelling percentage and test weight were not significantly influenced by the treatments against Celosia control. ABSTRACT Results of a field experiment conducted at College Farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during rabi season of 2004-05 revealed that irrigating the crop at 0.7 IW/CPE ratio (I3) produced significantly the highest seed yield (1045.6 kg/ha) and stover (2110.6 kg/ha) yields. An application of 60 kg P2O5/ha (P3) recorded significantly the highest yields of seed (1028.9 kg/ha) and stover (1978.5 kg/ha). Phosphatic solubilizing bacteria (B1) resulted in significantly the highest seed (984.1 kg/ha) and stover (1856.1 kg/ha) yields. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.), one of the oldest cultivated crops, is known to be one of the most nutritious food legumes. The lentil seed is an important source of protein for human consumption, especially in dry areas where lentils are often the only pulse crop that can be produced under prevailing conditions of low soil fertility and limited moisture. The area planted to lentil in Jordan was reduced by over 80% in the last two decades. If this trend continues, the local landraces of lentil will be disappearing and the genetic diversity (variability) for the economic characters will be lost. Sixty landraces were collected from farmers’ fields from different agro ecologies of Jordan, planted alongwith three check cultivars to study the variability that they have for several yield characters. The investigated landraces showed various degrees of variation based on the location and the characters under investigation. The H’ values ranged from 0.64 for harvest index to 0.81 for straw yield. The average diversity index over all studied characters was 0.72±0.08 which was less by around 15% than those reported for lentil landraces collected 20 years ago. The status of diversity in the lentil landraces in Jordan showed a serious decline as compared to the diversity reported 20 years ago. This situation resulted from reduction of lentil growing areas and the lack of programmes for their conservation by encouraging farmers to continue growing the landraces because of their high adaptation to the different agro ecologies of the country. The collected landraces in the present study were conserved in the national gene bank and the most promising landraces are under further evaluation to identify superior ones for potential release to farmer as a landrace cultivar. ABSTRACT The field study conducted at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi for two years indicated that potato-fenugreek intercropping recorded the highest productivity (27.9 t/ha), net return/ha (Rs. 51,428) and benefit : cost ratio (2.10) and this system also provided the additionl income to the farmers during the initial months of the crop, when they did not receive any farm income. ABSTRACT Fourteen germplasms of potato grown under West Bengal condition in Adhisaptagram Block Seed Farm were evaluated for processing related characteristics at harvest and after storage in three different storage environments (Ambient room temperature storage, evaporative cool storage and refrigerated cool storage) upto 45 days. The effect of storage temperatures on some associated processing characteristics of tubers such as total sugar, reducing sugar and total phenols which influence chipping quality was examined. Minimum value of reducing sugar (242.105 mg/100 g fresh weight) and total sugar was obtained at (719.470) evaporative cool storage, while refrigerated cold storage exhibited maximum value of reducing sugar content (1170.749 mg/100 g fresh weight) and total sugar (1485.031) and total phenol content. Ambient room temperature storage also documented lower level of the parameters. Discriminant function analysis indicated that two out of three variables distinguished between fresh and three different storage conditions. SYED SANNAULLA, H. K. RAMAPPA, K. S. SHANKARAPPA and K. T. RANGASWAMY [Effect of fern leaf disease caused by cucumber mosaic virus on growth and yield of tomato and screening of tomato genotypes for resistance against disease]. Crop Res. 34 (1, 2 & 3) : 118-121 (2007). Department of Plant Pathology University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065 (Karnataka), India ABSTRACT The results revealed that pollination at 9.00 a. m. recorded significantly highest germination, root length, shoot length, vigour index and seedling dry weight (83.23%, 8.56 cm, 8.34 cm, 1406 and 15.19 mg, respectively) compared to 1.00 p. m. pollination time (70.21%, 7.73 cm, 7.31 cm, 1091 and 12.72 mg, respectively). In the 4 : 1 crossing ratio, significantly maximum germination percentage, root length, shoot length, vigour index and seedling dry weight (78.23%, 8.51 cm, 8.12 cm, 1321 and 15.10 mg, respectively) were noticed as compared to the 10 : 1 crossing ratio (75.28%, 7.99 cm, 7.69 cm, 1203 and 13.44 mg, respectively).
ABSTRACT Field experiment was conducted inside low cost poly house on sandy loam soils of Research Farm of Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Regional Research Sub-station, Lari to study the effect of four sowing dates (15 April, 15 May, 15 June and 15 July) and two plant densities (40 x 40 cm and 60 x 60 cm ) on two varieties (Pusa Snowball K-1 and Poosi) of cauliflower. The findings revealed that the marketable curd yield (520.5 q/ ha) was highest on 15 April transplanting followed by transplanting on 15 May. The variety Pusa Snowball K-1 (434.1 q/ha) significantly outyielded the variety Poosi (359.6 q/ha) alongwith its better performance for curd and plant attributes.On an average, Pusa Snowball K-1 produced 20.7% higher curd yield over Poosi. Plant density had significant effect on curd yield. Lower plant density at 40 x 40 cm spacing showed significant increase in curd yield compared with 60 x 60 cm spacing.
ABSTRACT Application of organic sources of nutrients and amendments (Farm yard manure, poultry manure, neem cake, mahua cake, pungam cake and biofertilizers i . e. Azospirillum, phosphobacteria and silica solubilizing bacteria ) significantly enhanced the production of defensive chemicals viz., silica and phenols and thus exhibited induced resistance in terms of antibiosis by means of reduction in feeding rate, oviposition, longevity and population buildup and prolonged the nymphal duration of brinjal pests. Brinjal plants, which received organics, registered less quantity of reducing sugars, proteins and leaf chlorophyll when compared to NPK as straight fertilizer applied plots, thus making the plants less prone to insect attack. ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2002 and 2003 in farmer’s field at Kannivadi, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, India to study the impact of banana waste compost in hybrid bhendi cultivation. Bhendi green fruit yield, post-harvest soil fertility and profitability were studied under use of enriched banana waste compost in comparison with recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers and farmer’s method of nutrient management. Results revealed that recommended dose of NPK (40 : 50 : 30 kg/ha) alongwith ZnSO4 at 25 kg/ha and farmer’s method of fertilizer application (125 : 90 : 75 kg NPK/ha) recorded significantly higher green fruit yield of 21.28 and 19.98 t/ha, respectively, over raw banana waste compost. However, application of enriched banana waste compost at the rate of 2.5 t/ha also produced comparable green fruit yield (19.66 t/ha) as that of best treatments. Higher post-harvest soil nutrient status and net profit (Rs. 60179/ha) and BCR (2.13) were obtained under enriched banana waste compost application in vegetable bhendi cultivation. Thus, enriched banana waste compost at the rate of 2.5 t/ha could be used a better source for hybrid bhendi cultivation. ABSTRACT An investigation was carried out to standardize colchicine concentration to induce polyploids (amphidiploids) in seeds and apical buds of sterile inter-specific okra F1 hybrids. Three concentrations (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2%) of colchicines were used to induce amphidiploids in seeds (both in rubbed and unrubbed seeds) and apical buds (both at two and four leaf seedling stages) of four sterile inter-specific okra F1 hybrids. The results revealed that maximum amphidiploids were induced when colchicine was treated for 24 h in the rubbed seeds compared to unrubbed seeds. In rubbed seeds, 0.1% colchicine treatment (for 24 h), while in unrubbed seeds, 0.2% colchicine treatment (for 24 h) were found to induce maximum amphidiploids in all the inter-specific hybrids except A. esculentus cv. Phule Utkarsha x A. manihot spp. manihot. In case of apical buds, colchicine treated for 65 h was found effective in inducing maximum amphidiploids at two leaf stage compared to four leaf stage of the seedlings in all the inter-specific hybrids except A. esculentus cv. Phule Utkarsha x A. manihot spp. manihot. Maximum amphidiploids were induced when apical bud was treated (for 65 h) with 0.1 and 0.2% colchicine at two and four leaf stages of the seedlings, respectively. In the inter-specific hybrid, A. esculentus cv. Phule Utkarsha x A. manihot spp. manihot, 0.1% colchicine treatment (for 65 h) on apical buds at two leaf stages of the seedlings was only found effective in inducing amphidiploids. ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted for two years at Hill Agricultural Research & Extension Centre, Dhaulakuan during spring seasons of 2005 and 2006 to study the response of number of irrigations and amount of applied water on okra crop. Highest okra yield of 106 q/ha was recorded with 11 irrigations, each irrigation of 5 cm depth at an interval of seven days. The highest field water use efficiency of 1.927 q/ha-cm was obtained for the treatment resulting in highest okra yield and it decreased subsequently with the increase in number of irrigations. ABSTRACT The evaluation of 22 bitter gourd genotypes assembled from different geographical locations under saline soil revealed the presence of wide genetic diversity as they formed six clusters in genetic divergence analysis. The clustering pattern of genotypes revealed that there was no parallelism between geographical diversity and genetic diversity among the genotypes studied. The cluster I was found to consist of maximum number of 14 genotypes, while clusters V and VI were represented by only one genotype each. The inter-cluster distances observed between clusters IV and V as well as clusters I and V were maximum. ABSTRACT Drumstick was post-harvest treated with Virosil Agro at different concentrations (0.2, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0%) and stored in evaporative cool chamber under high humidity condition (R. H. 90-92%, minimum temperature 150C and maximum temperature, 200C). It was observed that on the 8th of day of storage, the decay was as high as 39.35%. Decay in higher doses of Virosil Agro treatment was significantly low compared to control on 8th day of storage indicating the efficacy of Virosil Agro (VA) as surface disinfectant. On 8th day, VA 0.5% treatment retained maximum ascorbic acid and the treatment VA 7% retained maximum chlorophyll (0.93 mg/g). So, the application of ecofriendly chemical Virosil Agro at low concentration (0.2-0.7%) and thereby reduced decay percentage and increased shelf life of drumstick. ABSTRACT The experiment was conducted to study the effect of calcium nitrate Ca (NO3)2 and salicylic acid (SA) on transduction of flowering in mango cv. Baneshan. The chemicals significantly influenced the flowering. The percentage of new laterals which flowered was highest with calcium nitrate 1.0% spray. Calcium nitrate 1.0% spray recorded highest percentage of hermaphrodite flowers and this was at par with SA 100 ppm and control. ABSTRACT The association between yield traits was worked out among 15 parents and of their 50 crosses in rice. Seed yield had significantly positive genotypic correlation with grains per panicle and spikelets per panicle showed high positive correlation on grain yield and also with each other. Path analysis revealed that grains per panicle had the highest positive and direct effect on grain yield followed by straw yield, panicle length and grain weight. Plant height showed highly positive indirect effect through grains per panicle, straw yield, panicle length and panicles per plant on grain yield. The study revealed that genetic improvement of grain yield in rice is admissible by selecting characters having high positive correlation and positive direct effect. ABSTRACT Three lines and 11 testers were crossed in a line x tester fashion to work out heterosis over standard parent for nine yield and yield components in rice. Three F1s viz., IR 68886A x ADT 36, IR 68886A x ADT 45 and IR 68886A x ASD 16 exhibited significant negative standard heterosis for earliness. Two crosses, namely, PMS 10A x ADT 41 and IR 68886A x ADT 43 recorded significant standard heterosis for dwarfness. For productive tillers per plant, 21 crosses, for panicle length 32 crosses, all 33 crosses for filled grains per panicle and grain yield per plant showed significant standard heterosis. Only one cross, namely, IR 68886A x ASD 20 exhibited standard heterosis. Hence, for the above traits, superior cross combinations showing greater heterosis could be used in isolating high yielding pure lines and to break yield barrier in rice. ABSTRACT Correlation studies revealed positive and significant association of plant height, productive tillers per plant, panicle length and filled grains per panicle with grain yield per plant. Selection based on productive tillers per plant and filled grains per panicle would be more useful for improvement of grain yield in rice hybrids, because of their high and positive direct effect of grain yield. ABSTRACT Twenty-three rice genotypes were evaluated to assay correlation coefficient and path coefficient as induced by Azotobacter chroococcum. Seed yield per plant showed significant positive association with plant height, panicle per plant, number of filled grains per panicle, 100-seed weight, husked and dehusked grain width both in Azotobacter inoculated and non-inoculated set of experiments. The direction and magnitude of association of few other characters with yield varied greatly in uninoculated and inoculated conditions. Maximum direct contribution towards seed yield was found to be made by husked grain width followed by number of filled panicles per plant and number of filled grains per panicle in control. Plant height showed maximum direct effect followed by amylose content and dehusked grain width under Azotobacter inoculated condition. The differences were observed between control and Azotobacter inoculated set of experiments in respect of character association and path analysis.
ABSTRACT Studies on genetic variability character association and path analysis were conducted on 87 genotypes of wheat including two checks under randomized block design for various yield components. Analysis of variance revealed considerable variability among the genotypes for almost all the characters, high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for yield/plant and grains/spike. Characters like tillers/m, grains/spike and plant height showed high values of heritability coupled with high genetic advance. Grans/spike and 1000-grain weight showed positive and significant correlation with yield both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Results of path analysis revealed that 1000-grain weight, grains per spike, tillers per metre and days to maturity showed positive direct effect on yield.
ABSTRACT Combining ability analysis was carried out using 10 diverse inbreds consisting seven quality protein maize (QPM) and three high oil lines (QOL) through half diallel method (excluding reciprocals) for grain yield, protein content, oil content and other agronomic characters. Preponderance sca variance over the gca variance indicated the importance of non-additive gene action in the inheritance of all the characters studied. The parents P1, P6, P7 and P8 for grain yield, P6 and P8 for oil content and P1 and P5 for protein content manifested significant positive gca effects by possessing maximum favourable alleles for these characters. No parent recorded significant positive gca effects for all the characters studied. Based on the combining ability and per se performance, four crosses viz., P2 x P5, P6 x P8, P7 x P8 and P1 x P4 were identified as the best for the traits grain yield, protein content and oil content. ABSTRACT Two finger millet varieties, namely, VR 708 and GPU 26 were treated with three doses each of gamma rays (15, 30 and 45 kR), EMS (0.15, 0.30 and 0.45%) and NG (0.015, 0.030 and 0.045%) alongwith two combination treatments of gamma rays (30 kR) with EMS (0.30%) or NG (0.030%). In the M1 generation, germination percentage and plant growth parameters were adversely affected in the mutagenic treatments and the effects were more pronounced in higher doses indicating almost a linear relationship. The adverse effect was more pronounced in NG treatments. Frequency of chlorophyll, morphological and total macro-mutations increased with dose of the mutagen. The combination treatments induced more chlorophyll mutations, while gamma rays treatments in VR 708 and NG treatments in GPU 26 induced more morphological mutations. All the M2 populations showed increase in population variance. In most cases, higher dose of mutagens induced greater variance and it was more in NG and combination treatments. The correlation of M1 parameters with M2 macro-mutation frequency and population variance indicated that the mutagenic treatments showing decrease in germination, seedling height and root length, plant height, tillers/plant, fingers/ear and yield/plant in M1 generation were expected to produce more of both macro- and micro-mutations in M2 generation. Drought is one of the major abiotic factors which affects productivity of chickpea to a great extent. Therefore, genetic improvement programme must be concentrated on combining high yield with tolerance to stresses. Drought tolerance in chickpea plays a significant role in yield determination when chickpea is grown on residual soil moisture under rainfed environments. Hence, the present study was undertaken to study the genetics of drought tolerance in nine different generations of chickpea of four crosses viz., Vishal x IPC-92-39, GNG-469 x IPC-92-39, PG-96108 x ICC-4958 and IPC-92-39 x PG-93009. In the crosses PG-96108 x ICC-4958 and IPC-92-39 x PG-93009, cell membrane injury index and relative water content were equally controlled by both additive and non-additive gene actions with duplicate type of epistasis. Additive gene actions were found predominant for stomatal aperture breadth in cross PG-96108 x ICC-4958 and stomatal number in the crosses IPC-92-39 x PG-93009 under both the situations. Stomatal length, breadth, aperture length and aperture breadth in cross GNG-469 x IPC-92-39 and stomatal length in cross PG-96108 x ICC-4958 under both the situations were controlled by both additive and non-additive gene actions. Genotype PG-96108 was found most drought tolerant due to higher RWC, less CMII and stomata number controlled by dominant gene action, whereas on the basis of highest DTI, genotype ICC-4958 was found most drought tolerant.. ABSTRACT Two diverse parents viz., PG-96108 and ICC-4958 were selected durign rabi 2001-03 and crossed for advancement of nine generations by backcrossing to study the genetics of root characteristics for drought tolerance under irrigated and rainfed conditions under field and laboratory conditions. The accession ICC-4958 has been previously characterized as a source for drought tolerance in chickpea due to its deep root system. PG-96108 is wilt resistant, medium bold seeded and high yielding genotype. Hence, the present study was undertaken to study the gene actions for the root characters among the parents viz., ICC-4958, PG-96108 and their different generations. Under simulated drought condition, root and shoot weight and root to shoot ratio were controlled by additive gene action, while under irrigated conditions, dominance gene action was found the predominant for root nodule weight and root volume. PG-96108 was the most drought tolerant genotype, as it recorded highest root length, root nodule weight and root to shoot ratio than ICC-4958. Under laboratory condition, F2 had the highest mean root length among the basic generations followed by B1, B2, F3 and B2F2 generations. PG-96108 recorded higher root volume and root to shoot ratio, while ICC-4958 recorded highest root length under laboratory condition. PG-96108 is the high scoring genotype for root characters among parents developed by backcrossing method.
ABSTRACT An experiment with 30 greengram genotypes was conducted to study the variability, association and path coefficients of different characters with yield per plant. The genotypes differed significantly for all the six characters studied. Pods per plant, number of branches per plant and plant height were significantly and positively associated with yield per plant. Pods per plant had the highest positive direct effect on yield per plant followed by test seed weight and number of branches. ABSTRACT Mutation frequency, effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays, ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) and synergistic effect of their combination treatments in relation to induction of chlorophyll and viable mutations was made in two different genotypes of mungbean, namely, T 44 and PDM 54. The studies revealed that ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) was found to be more effective in inducing mutations than gamma rays. However, EMS was more efficient than gamma rays. There was a progressive increase in mutation frequency of chlorophyll and viable mutations with the increase in gamma rays and EMS doses in both the cultivars. Synergistic effects were observed for increasing mutation frequency in M2 generation in combination treatments of gamma rays with EMS. Both mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency were found to be higher at lower doses of both the mutagens. Varietal preference to mutagens was also noticed in the present study ABSTRACT Tetraploidy was induced in desi cotton cv. HD 107 using colchicine treatment of seed and seedlings. The treatment of seeds with 0.4% aqueous solution of colchicine for 16 h, followed by seedling treatment with 0.5% aqueous solution of colchicine for five days, was most effective in inducing tetraploidy. The cytological studies revealed that the chromosome number in cv. HD 107 was 2n=26, whereas in the colchicine treated plant cv. HD 107 it was 2n=52. This confirmed the induction of tetraploidy in desi cotton cv. HD 107. Chromosome pairing behaviour was recorded in terms of chromosomal formula which represents the bivalent formation at metaphase-I in the cell. Diploid plant showed 13 IIs, while tetraploid exhibited usual 26 IIs, however, there was no formation of univalents (I), trivalents (III) or quadrivalents (IV) in the cells of tetraploids. This showed that the tetraploid plant was meiotically stable and was capable of producing fertile gametes as also confirmed by pollen fertility test. The anaphase-I and anaphase-II cells exhibited equal distribution to the two/four poles. ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted at Cotton Research Unit of Dr. PDKV, Akola during 2004-05 under rainfed condition in randomized block design with four replications. Three Bt cotton hybrids and two check hybrids were sown at 90 x 60 cm spacing for these studies. In all, ETL based 3 to 5 sprays were given on Bt cotton hybrids and three each on check hybrids for the control of sucking pests. Whereas for bollworms, no sprays were required to be given on Bt cotton hybrids. However, ETL based spary of azadirachtin 300 ppm @ 5 ml/l and two sparys of spinosad 45 SC @ 0.01% were required to be given on check hybrids. During present study, it was observed that no alive larvae of pink bollworms were noticed in green bolls plucked from Bt cotton hybrids at 105, 120 and 135 DAG, whereas 0.04 to 0.49 larvae/boll were noticed in PKV Hy-2 and 0.03 to 0.46 larvae/boll were noticed in NHH-44. As regards pink bollworm damage in green bolls, no damage was noticed in Bt cotton hybrids at 105, 120 and 135 DAG, whereas in check hybrids 6.66 to 51.66% damage was observed in PKV Hy-2 and 4.99 to 48.33% damage was noticed in NHH-44. The picking-wise loculi damage due to pink bollworm was 0.00 to 7.32% in Bt cotton hybrids from 1st to 4th picking and it was 9.92 to 39.00% in PKV Hy-2 and 10.72 to 33.35% in NHH-44 in spite of three sprays for bollworm control on these check hybrids. In short, all the three Bt cotton hybrids were found significantly superior over check hybrids PKV Hy-2 and NHH-44 recording significantly less pink bollworm larval population and damage in green bolls and loculi.
ABSTRACT The experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of insecticides and biopesticides against Bihar hairy caterpillar. The colophos and rocket were found most effective against Spilarctia obliqua. These provided minimum 8.00 larval population per plant and both insecticides provided highest grain yield i. e 1.80 q/ha than other insecticide. The spray of monocrotophos, endosulfan, carina and decis was also better effective in minimizing larval population per plant to the tune of 10.32, 11.00, 11.00 and 11.33, respectively, which was much lower than control (25). The botanical pesticides were found least effective but superior to control against S. obiqua Walker.
ABSTRACT A study was conducted on Pulney hills, Tamil Nadu to assess the seasonal occurrence of white muscardine fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) on coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) during the year 2004-05. B. bassiana infects a wide range of insects world over, and is considered as promising biocontrol agent for the control of several crop pests. Coffee berry borer beetles were infected by B. bassiana, which had just infected before reaching the beans. The mean per cent seasonal infection of the fungus, B. bassiana was high between November and January, while it was minimum during March to June. Attempts made to establish the correlation between weather parameters and incidence of B. bassiana revealed a negative association with maximum temperature and rainfall at all the three locations viz., Thandigudi, Periyamalai and Pillaveli, while a positive relationship with minimum temperature with B. bassiana infection, respectively. ABSTRACT Physical mutagens ( X-rays, g rays, b rays, a rays etc.) are very effective in creating mutations in the living system. In the present study, Pleurotus sajor-caju was exposed to different doses of gamma radiation with the intention to develop desirable traits. In order to test the genetic variability, these mutants were analysed for esterase (EST) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) using gel-electrophoresis. And it was evident from the results that a significant variation occurred in mutants in relation to parent (untreated) in both the isoenzymes i. e. esterase and malate dehydrogenase. ABSTRACT In north India, increased demand on the mushroom consumption and increased pressure on Agaricus bisporus (white button mushroom) have paved the way for the research in other demanding mushrooms like Pleurotus sajor-caju and related species. The present study was carried out with a main emphasis to develop a new trait or traits in the P. sajor-caju through the mutation breeding wherein it was exposed to various doses of gamma rays ranging from 2.6 to 83.6 kR and studied different quantitative and qualitative parameters and selected three mutants for future investigation. Among five host plants of different species tested, citrus yellow mosaic virus can infect only sugarcane. Typical streaking and mosaic symptoms were observed on sugarcane after three months of inoculation. Since sugarcane germplasm in India was infected with sugarcane bacilliform badnavirus (ScBV), the symptoms that are observed on sap inoculated sugarcane are due to CYMV or ScBV that may present in setts are confirmed by dot blot hybridization using 32p labelled 2.0 Kb viral fragement of CYMV genome as DNA probe. ABSTRACT A comparative study was made on the influence of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) fungi and phosphorus on the survival and growth attributes of the saplings of mulberry varieties (S-13, S-34 and V-1) in black cotton soil under semi-arid conditions. In general, the survivability of saplings of V-1 variety was found to be very high followed by S-34 and S-13 due to VAM inoculation, while only slightly higher than control in these varieties due to addition of phosphorus. The growth parameters such as height of saplings, number of leaves/sapling, fresh and dry weight of leaves and shoots/sapling were found increased due to the influence of VAM than addition of phosphorus over control. Moisture content and NPK nutrients were also found more in the VAM associated saplings of V-1 variety followed by S-34 and S-13, whereas application of phosphorus only marginally increased these parameters in V-1 saplings followed by S-34 and S-13 over control. The percentage of root colonization was very high due to VAM inoculation in V-1 followed by S-34 and S-13 saplings as compared to the phosphorus and control. It can be concluded that due to VAM inoculation the survival and growth of saplings of V-1, S-34 and S-13 varieties were significantly higher than phosphorus and control. Thus, the VAM inoculated saplings can be used directly for raising mulberry plantation in black cotton soil with a reduction in recommended dose of phosphorus fertilizer in subsequent years. ABSTRACT Meloidogyne incognita J2 when encumbered with 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 spores of Pasteuria penetrans, J2 penetration into okra root and its further development was reduced with the increase in spore load. There was subsequent decrease in the percentage of nematode penetrating and delay in further development. The maximum reduction was in the treatment with 40 spores/J2. Maximum penetration was recorded after 72 h of J2 inoculation and least after 12 h. Spore load as well as duration played important role in nematode development. A study on different spore levels and time of inoculation of VAM fungus Glomus fasciculatum indicated that inoculation of VAM with two doses viz., 150 and 300 spores prior to nematode inoculation was more effective in reducing number of galls, eggmasses and final nematode population in soil and increasing plant growth parameters as compared to the treatment with simultaneous inoculation of both VAM and nematode or inoculation of nematode 10 days prior to inoculation of VAM. Maximum reduction of number of galls, eggmasses and final nematode population in soil was recorded in the treatment where VAM was inoculated @ 300 spores 10 days prior to inoculation of nematode.
ABSTRACT Pasteuria penetrans, an endospore forming bacteria, has shown great promise in suppressing root-knot nematode and has established itself as a potential bioagent. The experiment was conducted to study the multiplication of P. penetrans in different cropping sequences. All the sequences showed similar trend in terms of reduction in gall and eggmass count, soil nematode population and formation of spores per gram of root powder. However, the amount of root powder was obtained and spore per gram of root powder was maximum when brinjal was used as a last crop in the sequence. ABSTRACT Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays and ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) were estimated in the genotype of clusterbean variety Pusa Navabahar. The frequency of mutations was more in EMS than the gamma rays. EMS treatment was more effective than gamma rays in M2 generations. However, efficiency was more in EMS than the gamma rays in M2 generation on the basis of lethality and injury. It was concluded that mutagenic doses/concentrations were inconsistency to induce mutation although, among these mutagenes, EMS induced number of mutants (frequency), more effective and efficiency than the gamma rays. ABSTRACT Seeds of clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] variety Pusa Navbahar were mutagenised with gamma rays and EMS to determine their mutagenic sensitivity in M1 generation. The increasing dose/concentration of gamma rays and EMS decreased in morphological and yield characters. The spectrum of mutation and induced variability for various quantitative traits were observed in M1 generation. Plant height, days to first flower, number of leaves per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length, pod breadth, fresh and dry weight per plant and 100-pod weight showed variability in clusterbean with effect of gamma rays and EMS. The influence of COC-10, TAL-169 and TAL-1000 rhizobial strains was investigated on Pusa Barsati, Pusa Kesari and C-152 cowpea cultivars with regards to nodulation, leghaemoglobin content, nitrogenase activity and grain yield. The results revealed significant differences among the cultivars, strains and their interactions for all the traits studied. Among the cultivars, Pusa Barsati was observed to be a high yielder. Further, COC-10 rhizobial strain was observed to be effective for increased nodule number, leghaemoglobin content, nitrogenase activity, grain yield, nitrogen content and grain protein content for Pusa Barsati and Pusa Kesari cowpea cultivars, while TAL-1000 was effective for C-152 cultivar with regards to the above traits. A total of 89 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross IR 20/Nootripathu alongwith checks were used as the experimental materials to study the variability and interrelationship between yield and physio-morphological traits under moisture strees condition. The results revealed that high to moderate phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation coupled with high heritability and high genetic advance were observed in days to 70% RWC, leaf rolling, canopy temperature, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll stability index, drought recovery rate, days to 50% flowering, plant height, panicle length and grain yield per plant, which indicate the predominance of additive gene effects. Hence, these traits offer much scope for improvement by way of simple selection. Two traits viz., productive tillers and leaf drying showed high heritability with low and moderate genetic advance, respectively, which indicates the non-additive gene action, where the selection has to be postponed to later generations. Correlation study inferred that grain yield had positive and significant correlation with productive tillers per plant, days to 70% RWC, plant height, chlorophyll stability index and panicle length. The drought tolerant traits viz., leaf rolling, leaf drying and canopy temperature expressed significantly negative correlation with grain yield. ABSTRACT Mangala s. biradar p. u. krishnaraj and m. s. kuruvinashetti [Characterization of cryI gene profile in native Bacillus thuringiensis isolates]. Crop Res. 34 (1, 2 & 3) : 263-267 (2007). Department of Biotechnology University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580 005 (Karnataka), India ABSTRACT Insect-pests are a major cause of damage to the world’s commercially important agricultural crops. Among the biological control agents, the most successful has been Bacillus thuringiensis. In the present investigation, experiments were carried out to clone cryIA(c) full length and truncated toxic fragment from efficient B. thuringiensis isolate D-1. A full length gene of 3.5 kb and truncated gene of 2.0 kb was PCR amplified. The amplicons were cloned in the PCR cloning vector. The BLAST search for sequence showed 98% homology to BT cryIA(c) gene and 98% homology to Bt cryI BNS3 and B. thuringiensis mRNA for delta-endotoxin.
ABSTRACT The experiments were conducted at Seed Technology Research Unit, Dr. PDKV, Akola (M. S.), India for three years 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 in order to decide the optimum quantity of H2SO4 solution and time of treatment for wet acid delinting of cotton seed. The time of delinting for delinting was 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 min and quantity of H2SO4 used was 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 ml per kg of fuzzy cotton seed. On the basis of three years’ data, it was observed that as the quantity of H2SO4 increased the linters removal delinting efficiency was also increased. The use of H2SO4 above 100 ml/kg was found to have adverse effect on all the seed quality parameters. It was also observed that all the seed quality parameters were influenced by the time of delinting. Highest delinting efficiency was recorded at 120 ml of H2SO4 solutions in all the time treatments. Among the treatment combinations, maximum germination and maximum delinting efficiency were recorded from combination of 100 ml H2SO4 solution at 10 min of delinting time.
ABSTRACT The technology for processing of nectar from bael fruit was standardized and it was evaluated for changes in its chemical constituents and organoleptic quality during storage period. Total sugars, reducing sugars and browning increased, whereas acidity and total phenols of bael nectar decreased during storage period. Overall acceptability of bael nectar decreased with the advancement in storage period; however, its organoleptic score remained above the acceptable level in all the treatments after storage period. Bael nectar prepared with 20% bael pulp, 15% total soluble solids and 0.25% acidity was found most acceptable among all the treatments. ABSTRACT Seed germination is an important event in the life of every sexually reproduced higher plant. The seeds of many medicinal and aromatic plant species are dormant; they do not germinate unless specific environmental signals or events occur. In order to evaluate the seed ecology and dormancy of Bakhtyari aromatic celery (Kelosia oderatascima), this study was conducted in completely randomized design (CRD) with three factors : 14 seed treatments, 2 seed ages, 3 sown on bed types and three replications in 2005-06. These seed treatments were soaked in 0.01 molar KNO3, 0.01 molar thio urea, 50, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/l GA3, ethanol 75% v/v, H2SO4 70 and 95% v/v, hot water, cold stratification, seed coat removal and control. Factor B was young (1 year ago) and old seed (2 years ago) and Factor C sown on bed types included filter Petri dish, super absorption and mix the perlight and sand at 50/50. The results of ANOVA showed that the effect of various seed treatments (factor A), seed age (factor B) and sown on bed types (factor C), A x B, A x C and A x B x C on K. oderatascima germination percentage was highly significantly different (P£0.01). Highest germination percentage was obtained when the seeds were sown after seed coat removal. For factor B, the highest germination percentage was found in the young seed. The highest germination percentage was obtained in sown on super absorption. ABSTRACT The study was conducted in Pandavapura sugar factory area of Mandya district in Karnataka during 2005-06 to find out the adoption behaviour of sugarcane growers. Sugarcane growers were interviewed personally with the help of pre-tested interview schedule. A majority of over 70% respondents had adopted simpler and low cost sugarcane cultivation practices. Further, over 60% of the respondents expressed lack of technical know-how, non-availability of inputs and high cost of inputs as reasons for non-adoption or partial adoption of recommended sugarcane cultivation practices. ABSTRACT The extent of crop diversification was quantitatively determined in terms of an index i. e. crop diversification index (CDI). All categories of the farmers had more CDI in rabi as compared to kharif indicating thereby that more number of crops was grown in rabi than kharif. The socio-economic factors influencing CDI in each crop season were examined using regression analysis. Niche index and operational land holding were found to have significant effect on CDI both in kharif and rabi, while in zaid, it was family size. It is interesting that family size matters a lot in zaid, probably because of family labour engaged in vegetable crop production in smaller areas alongwith other summer crops. In an entire crop calendar, the niche index and operational land holding were found to have significant impact on CDI. ABSTRACT A study was conducted in Tumkur and Chitradurga districts during 2006 to know the job performance and job satisfaction level of Agricultural Officers. Sixty Agricultural Officers were interviewed personally with the help of interview schedule. Job performance of Agricultural Officers was more or less equally distributed in both high (43.33%) and low (52.67%) performance category. Majority of the respondents were not satisfied with their job (40%). Further, except mass media use, the other variables were not associated with job performance and job satisfaction levels of Agricultural Officers. ABSTRACT Audience research was carred out in Dharwad and Chikamangalur districts of Karnataka state during 2004 to study the reading behaviour of farmer readers. A total of 250 subscriber farmer readers (consisting of 125 subscriber farmer readers each from Krishi Munnade and Sujatha Sanchike) were personally interviewed with the help of a pre-tested interview schedule. It was found that a little over one-third of farmer readers of Krishi Munnade (28.40%) and Sujatha Sanchike (37.60%) had high and medium levels of reading behaviour. Out of 20 variables (characteristics of farmer readers), only 11 variables had significant correlation with the reading behaviour. Further, all the 20 variables together had contributed to the tune of 58.97% to the reading behaviour of farmer readers. ABSTRACT The experiment was carried out at Research Farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during rabi 2002-03. The experiment was laid out in split plot design having time of nitrogen application (1/2 N as basal+1/2 at first irrigation, 1/3 as basal+2/3 at first node, 1/3 as basal+1/3 after first irrigation+1/3 at first node, 1/4 as basal+1/2 at first node+1/4 at milking stage and full N at first node) in main plot and genotypes/varieties (WH 595, WH 283, PBW 343, WH 912 and WH 896) in sub-plot. The maximum protein content (11.64%) in grains of wheat was observed when split application of nitrogen was applied 1/3 N as basal+2/3 N at first node. ABSTRACT Genetically modified cotton responded to closer plant geometry of 90 x 60 and 90 x 30 cm. Nutritional levels were not having any influence on yield attributes and yield. Net returns were found to be highest with 90 x 60 cm.
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