Volume 35, Number 1&2 (January & March, 2008)
ABSTRACT Field experiments conducted on lowland rainfed transplanted rice during kharif 2003-04 to kharif 2005-06 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station (Western Ghat Zone), Igatpuri revealed that fertilization of transplanted rice through fertilizer briquettes distinctly improved the efficacy of applied nutrients. The fertilizer applied as briquettes containing 56 kg N, 30 kg P2O5 and different rates of K 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg K2O/ha were compared with the conventional recommended practices of fertilization (100 kg N+50 kg P2O5/ha+50 kg K2O/ha). The research results revealed clear superiority of fertilizer briquettes over recommended fertilizers under the prevailing high rainfall conditions. Grain yield of rice was significantly increased when the crop was fertilized through briquettes (56-30-30 kg NPK/ha) as compared to the application of conventional fertilizers (100-50-50 kg NPK/ha). Placement of briquettes (in modified spacing 15-25 x 15-25 cm) markedly improved fertilizer use efficiency and it offset the additional cost involved in preparation and end placement of briquettes Hybrid technology has witnessed the potential to increased rice yield by 15-20% under irrigated ecosystem. But the availability of high quality hybrid rice seed at affordable price is still the real challenge. Consequent upon inception of CMS system in case of hybrid rice exhibiting partial panicle exertion and duration of floret opening play significant role making them more susceptible to various pathogens as compared to traditional open pollinated varieties. Similarly, the delicate husk, opened glumes and higher doses of GA3 favour the growth of storage fungi ultimately affecting the health and storability in two ways. It adversely affects the germinability resulting in the decrease of size of plants population in field. If germinates, emerge and establish, may fail partially or completely to produce economic yield. Moreover, the population of diseased plants increases in subsequent generation. Seed endeavour is a process designed to improve and enhance the seed quality so that the emerging seedling may become healthy and vigour. Experiment conducted under NSP (crops) to evaluate the efficacy of seed coating with polykote (polymer) alone and in combination with fungicides (thiram and carbendazim) and insecticide (imidachloprid) in hybrid rice var. NDRH 2 revealed that sequential coating with imidachloprid followed by dry treatment of thiram followed by polykote and finally the super red alongwith drying at room temperature step by step is the best option for enhancement in seed quality parameters. This sequential treatment resulted in the increase of germinability from 71.25 to 78.50, field emergence 67.50 to 74.00% with decrease in total fungal count from 13.75 to 7.00. This protocol may be further exploited for seed enhancement specially in high value low volume crop seeds. Fungi isolated from coated/uncoated seed lots were Fusarium moniliforme, Curvularia lunata, Alternaria longissima, Aspergillus flavus and A. niger. ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted at Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad, to study the influence of in situ moisture conservation practices (IMCP) and nitrogen levels on soil moisture content, yield and nutrient uptake of rabi sorghum under rainfed condition. Among in situ moisture conservation practices, ridges and furrows and compartment bunding were found beneficial in conserving higher soil moisture and resulted in higher grain yield of rabi sorghum (15.78 and 14.96 q/ha, respectively) compared to flat bed method of sowing (11.74 q/ha). Among the levels of nitrogen to rabi sorghum, application of 75 kg N/ha recorded higher grain yield (15.12 q/ha) over 25 kg N/ha (12.53 q/ha) but was found on par with the present recommended dose of 50 kg N/ha (14.38 q/ha). Among IMCP, ridges and furrows recorded higher nitrogen content (leaf, stem, grains and total nitrogen content) and nitrogen uptake (leaf, stem, grains and total uptake) as compared to other practices. Application of 75 kg N/ha increased N content and uptake by crop over lower doses. Available soil N at harvest was found to be increased with higher level of N upto 75 kg/ha in 0-30 cm soil depth.
ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of in situ moisture conservation practices and nitrogen levels on growth, yield and economics of rabi sorghum under rainfed vertisol during rabi 2002 at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. Among the different in situ moisture conservation practices, formation of ridges and furrows (15.78 q/ha) and compartment bunding (14.96 q/ha) recorded 34.4 and 27.4% higher grain yield, respectively, over flat bed (11.74 q/ha) method of sowing. Whereas broad bed and furrows (13.56 q/ha) was on par with compartment bunding. Application of 75 kg N/ha produced higher grain yield (15.12 q/ha) over application of 25 kg N/ha (12.53 q/ha), but was on par with 50 kg N/ha (14.38 q/ha). Ridges and furrows and compartment bunding with 50 kg N/ha recorded 49.47 and 37.99% higher net returns, respectively, compared to flat bed method of sowing (farmers’ practice). Interaction effects were found non-significant.
ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted on clayey soils during kharif season of 2005-06 at the Farm of Agronomy, Dr. PDKV, Akola to evaluate the effect of sources and levels of phosphorus with and without PSB inoculation on yield, uptake and economics of soybean. Results indicated that the application of phosphorus through SSP recorded significantly more number of pods, yield/plant, seed and straw yield, phosphorus uptake, gross and net monetary returns than DAP and rock phosphate. Seed inoculated PSB culture recorded significantly higher yield attributes, yield, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, gross and net monetary returns over non-inoculation. Increase in phosphorus level from 25 to 50 and 50 to 75 kg/ha resulted in significant increase in yield attributes, yield, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, gross and net monetary returns. ABSTRACT Front line demonstrations in Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.] were conducted at farmers’ fields of Faizabad, Gonda, Azamgarh, Sultanpur and Ambedkarnagar districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh during rabi 2001-01 to 2005-06. The average seed yield ranged from 1420 to 2120 kg/ha with highest mean seed yield of 1371 kg/ha and 950 to 1920 kg/ha with highest mean yield of 954 kg/ha under improved and farmers’ practices, respectively. There was an increase of 43% in seed yield under improved practices as compared to farmers’ practices. An additional net return of Rs. 5458/ha was obtained against additional cost of Rs. 2541/ha from improved practices over farmers’ practices. Incremental benefit : cost ratio (IBCR) was 2.25 which indicates an additional return of Rs. 2.25 per rupee of additional investments. Kernel storage saves space and transport cost, but kernel looses viability rapidly compared to the pod. Hence, pelleting was undertaken to explore the enhancement in storability. Storage experiment was conducted during rabi/summer 2001-02 and 2002-03. After the harvest and drying of pods to 6.5% moisture content, except for control, kernels were pre-treated with thiram (3 g/kg seed) and then pelleting was undertaken with a given chemical using 10% maida (30 ml/kg seed) as an adhesive. Pelleted seeds were stored in different containers viz., gunny bag, gunny bag lined with polyethylene (GLPB, 300 gauge) and high density polyethylene bag (HDPE) with or without desiccant. Results revealed that pod storage maintained minimum standards of germination upto six months of storage, whereas kernel storage maintained only upto three months. However, seeds pelleted with gypsum (12 g/kg), ammonium molybdate (2%), flyash (10%) and sulphur (2 g/kg) could maintain minimum standards of germination (70%) and higher seed quality parameters even after seven months of storage. These treatments were on par with each other. Among the containers, GLPB or HDPE bag with desiccant maintained higher seed quality parameters. These results suggest that kernels can also be stored upto 5 to 7 months if pelleting is taken up. ABSTRACT Fourteen acid soils of Arunachal Pradesh representing Ultisols and Entisols were studied to characterize the nature of acidity in relation to different forms of iron and aluminium. The mean contents of iron and aluminium were extracted by various extracting reagents and were found to be in decreasing order as followed : dithionite > oxalate > pyrophosphate > ammonium acetate > KCl. The electrostatically bonded EB-H+ and EB-Al3+ acidity constituted 20.6 and 79.4% of exchangeable acidity, while EB-H+, EB-Al3+, exchangeable and pH-dependent acidities comprised 0.23, 1.05, 1.28 and 98.7% of total potential acidity. Different forms of acidity showed significant correlation with pHw, pHk and CEC. Although different forms of Fe and Al are responsible for most of the variations in different forms of soil acidity but the effect of different forms of Al is more pronounced and directly related with the different forms of acidity.
ABSTRACT Field experiments were conducted in 2002-03 and 2003-04 dry seasons at the Irrigation Research Station of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Kadawa (11°39¢ N, 38°02¢ E 500 m above sea level) in the Sudan Savanna Ecological Zone, Nigeria to study the effects of weed control, date of planting and intra-row spacing on the performance of garlic (Allium sativum L.) under irrigation at Kadawa, Nigeria. Split plot design was adopted for the study in which weed control (three rates of oxadiazon, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg a. i./ha, hoe-weeded control and unweeded check) and date of planting (late October, early and late November) constituted the main plot, while the intra-row spacing (5, 7.5 and 10 cm) formed the sub-plot. A uniform inter-row spacing of 15 cm was maintained in the two seasons. The results obtained showed that the hoe-weeded control and application of oxadiazon at 1.5 and 2.0 kg a. i./ha resulted in comparable but significantly higher leaf number, total dry matter and bulb yield per hectare than oxadiazon at 1.0 kg a. i./ha and unweeded check. Total dry matter, plant height, leaf number and bulb yield were significantly higher with the early November planting. Planting garlic at 5 cm intra-row spacing resulted in higher bulb yield but all the growth parameters assessed did not differ with intra-row spacing in both the seasons. The investigations on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) cv. Indam 2435 were carried out at farmers’ fields at Jallipatti, Udumelpet during 2003-04 to find out the effect of different organic manures and biofertilizers on cauliflower with reference to growth and yield attributes. The study revealed that cauliflower showed better response to the application of organic manures and biofertilizers. Application of recommended dose of fertilizer (T12–15 FYM t/ha+50 : 100 : 50 kg NPK/ha as basal dressing and 50 kg N/ha 45 days after transplanting) recorded the maximum plant height (32.56 cm), number of leaves (26.60), length of leaves (30.55 cm), width of leaves (15.46 cm), leaf area (472.303 cm2) and leaf area index (0.175). While the control plants (T13 – Without any application) exhibited minimum plant height (21.52 cm), number of leaves (19.88), length of leaves (22.96 cm), width of leaves (13.2 cm), leaf area (303.072 cm2) and leaf area index (0.112).The combined application of vermicompost alongwith panchakavya (T8) expressed highest (211.99 g/plant) total dry matter content. Application of recommended dose of fertilizers (T12) recorded maximum curd length (15.66 cm), curd width (17.21 cm) and curd weight (340.12 g/plant) than the control (11.23 cm, 12.32 cm and 228.85 g, respectively). ABSTRACT The evaluation of eight genetically diverse inbred lines of bitter gourd alongwith 56 F1 hybrids obtained through full diallel mating among the inbreds for combining ability revealed that none of the parents was found to be the best general combiner for all the 15 characters studied. Three parents viz., Bikaneer 3 (141.78), Bikaneer 1 (68.82) and IC 85643 (62.47) were identified as the best general combiners for yield of fruits per vine. The parent Bikaneer 1 could be adjudged as the best based on gca effects as it had recorded significant desirable gca effects for seven of the 15 characters studied including both the yield of fruits per vine and leaf sodium : potassium ratio. Among the direct crosses, MDU 1 x Bikaneer 1, MDU 1 x CO 1 and IC 85643 x Bikaneer 1 were found to have significant sca for number and yield of fruits per vine as well as leaf sodium : potassium ratio. Of the 28 reciprocal crosses, the hybrid Bikaneer 1 x CO 1 had outperformed with significant sca for 11 of the 15 characters studied. The hybrid combinations viz., MDU 1 ´ CO 1, MDU 1 ´ Bikaneer 1, IC 85643 ´ Bikaneer 1 and CO 1 ´ IC 85643, identified as superior combinations based on the sca effect for leaf sodium : potassium ratio coupled with other attributes could be better utilised for developing commercial hybrids.
ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted during the year 2000-01 at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka under rainfed condition in black clay loam soils. The study revealed that sunnhemp green manuring was a possible proposition in green chilli in chilli+cotton cropping system under rainfed conditions of northern transitional zone of Karnataka from the point of soil health and productivity. Application of 100 kg N/ha would be suitable for higher green chilli yield.
ABSTRACT In an experiment on the effect of green manures and nitrogen levels on the performance of chilli+cotton intercropping system during 2000-01, sunnhemp green manuring recorded higher dry chilli (695 kg/ha) yield. Application of 150 (776 kg/ha) and 100 (772 kg/ha) kg N/ha was on par and was superior to 0 and 50 kg N/ha. Green manuring recorded higher capsaicin content and lower per cent discoloured fruits, while application of nitrogen increased both capsaicin content and per cent discoloured fruits. ABSTRACT In an experiment on the effect of green manures and nitrogen levels on the performance of chilli+cotton intercropping system during 2000-01, sunnhemp recorded significantly higher seed cotton yield over other green manures and no green manure treatments. Application of 100 and 150 kg N/ha was on par and was superior to 0 and 50 kg N/ha. Sunnhemp+100 kg N/ha recorded significantly higher seed cotton yield over other green manures and fallow in combination with 150 kg N/ha. All the green manures improved quality parameters like fibre fineness and maturity coefficient compared to fallow. Significantly higher chilli equivalent yield and net returns were obtained with sunnhemp with 100 or 150 kg N/ha. ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted during 2005-06 to study the influence of pruning and growth regulators on the yield and quality of coloured capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Orobelle under greenhouse, Division of Horticulture, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore. In this experiment, two pruning levels (two and four branches per plant) and growth regulators (NAA 10 and 25 ppm, GA3 10 and 25 ppm) at different combinations were used as treatments. Both during summer and winter, the number of days taken was least for 50% flowering (34.18 and 32.63 days, respectively) and fruit set (7.12 and 5.54 days, respectively) with the treatment T5 which was the combination of pruning to four branches per plant+NAA 10 ppm. This treatment had also significantly increased number of flowers per plant (34.34 and 39.41, respectively), and per cent fruit set (52.37 and 63.51%, respectively), fruit yield per plant (1.97 and 2.39 kg) and per hectare (118.20 and 143.40 t) in both summer and winter, respectively. Capsicum plants responded significantly to the pruning and application of growth regulators. An experiment was conducted during 2004-05 to study the influence of integrated nutrient management on the flowering, fruit set and yield of coloured capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Orobelle under greenhouse at Precision Farming Development Centre, Division of Horticulture, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore. The treatments comprised three organic manures viz., Pongamia cake (220, 440 and 880 g/m2), vemicompost (375, 750 and 1500 g/m2) and FYM @ 25 t/ha, recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) @ 250 : 250 : 250 kg NPK/ha (applied at three different levels 50, 75 and 100%) and Azotobacter @ 5 g/plant. The results of the experiment have revealed that application of 25% of nitrogen through Pongamia cake+75% of recommended dose of fertilizer+FYM @ 25 t/ha+Azotobacter @ 5 g/plant has significantly increased the fruit set (29.10%) and number of fruits per plant (15.07), fruit yield per plant (2.8 kg), yield per square metre (11.76 kg) and yield per hectare (117.6 t/ha). The capsicum plants responded significantly to the integrated nutrient supply. ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted during 2005-06 to study the influence of pruning and growth regulators on the fruit growth of coloured capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Bombi under greenhouse at Precision Farming Development Centre, Division of Horticulture, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore. In this experiment, two pruning levels (two branches per plant and four branches per plant) and growth regulators (NAA @10 and 25 ppm, GA3 @ 10 and 25 ppm) at different combinations were used as treatments. Both in summer and winter at 60, 90 and 120 DAT, maximum fruit length (10.31, 11.48 and 9.30 cm in summer and 11.17, 8.88 and 10.21 cm in winter, respectively), fruit breadth (8.21, 8.52 and 7.83 cm in summer and 9.41, 9.78 and 8.61 cm in winter, respectively) and fruit volume (340.69, 363.46 and 321.05 cc in summer and 358.42, 363.03 and 352.02 cc in winter, respectively) were recorded with the treatment T5 which was the combination of pruning to four branches per plant and NAA 10 ppm. Maximum number of fruits per plant in both the winter and summer seasons (14.81 and 17.01, respectively) and fruit weight (133.35 and 141.00, respectively) was also recorded with treatment T5 followed by T6. ABSTRACT The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of antioxidants (sodium benzoate, potassium metabisulphide and ascorbic acid) as free radical scavengers in problonging vase life of cut gerberas. Among the three antioxidants used in the experiment ascorbic acid 250 ppm increased the water uptake (6.684 g/f) and water potential (-8.444 bars) in the flower tissues by acidifying the vase solution thereby reducing the microbial growth. The highest vase life (6.97 days) recorded in ascorbic acid 250 ppm might be due to its antioxidant activity, prevented the loss in cellular integrity and kept the peroxidative products under control. Due to disturbed water relations the lowest vase life was recorded in control (4.64 days). In the present investigation, the antioxidant ascorbic acid 250 ppm was only proved effective in extending the vase life compared to other antioxidant treatments. . In the present investigation, a core collection of 291 accessions was evaluated for 11 quantitative traits to study the descriptive statistics and extent of variability in foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.]. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the 291 accessions for all the traits studied, indicating the existence of variability in the germplasm evaluated. Out of the 11 quantitative traits investigated, eight traits showed positive skewness values. The remaining three traits such as flag leaf length, flag leaf width and ear length showed negative skewness values. The traits that were positively skewed are governed by non-additive gene action. The traits that were negatively skewed are governed by additive gene action. Of the 11 traits studied, 10 traits viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of basal tillers, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, peduncle length, ear length, panicle exertion, grain yield per plant and 1000-grain weight showed high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean. This indicates the influence of additive type of gene action in the inheritance of these traits. Hence, the response to selection would be effective and simple pedigree breeding also useful for the improvement of these traits. Days to maturity showed high heritability with moderate genetic advance as percentage of mean indicating the non-additive type of gene action. High heritability may be due to favourable influence of environment. Hence, selection for this trait may not be rewarding.
ABSTRACT The genetic analysis in F2 population of lathyrus was studied with a view to estimate the genetic parameters for different F2 populations and to identify the potential F2 populations for further selection. The 13 F2 populations alongwith 14 parents viz., Ratna, RLS-2, NLK-48, NLK-36, RLK-240, NLK-74, Pusa-28, BIOR-231, NLK-39, NLK-73, NLK-5, Pusa-90-2, NLK-102 and NLK-40 were studied for days to first flower, plant height, number of branches/plant, number of pods/plant, 100-seed weight and seed yield/plant. The high coefficient of variation was recorded for number of pods/plant and seed yield/plant. The estimates of heritability in broad sense were high for the characters number of pods/plant (0.70 to 0.90), seed yield/plant (0.74 to 0.95) and low to high heritability for plant height (0.03 to 0.78). Expected genetic advance among all the F2 populations indicated significant progress under selection for the characters plant height (0.82 to 32.66 cm) and number of pods/plant (30.56 to 56.51). The six F2 populations BIOR-231 x Ratna, Pusa-28 x Ratna and NLK-5 x Ratna were selected on the basis of mean, genotypic variance, heritability in broad sense and genetic advance for the economic character like number of pods/plant for obtaining potential segregants. ABSTRAC Seventeen genotypes of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss] were evaluated for stability of performance for seed yield, days to maturity, 1000-seed weight and oil content over four years of planting (2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07). Both linear and non-linear components accounted for observed variability for all the traits; the magnitude of the former being greater than later. Genotypes that combined high mean seed yield and unit regression were considered as average stable. Genotype NDRS-2012 was found to be stable for seed yield accompanied by average stability for 1000-seed weight and oil content. ABSTRACT Variability was generated for various quantitative characters through induced mutagenesis in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Two improved cultivars of Spanish bunch groundnut, TG-41 and GPBD-4 were treated with EMS (0.5%) and gamma rays. The mean of the treatment shifted to both positive as well as negative direction from the mean of the untreated control for the different characters studied. Increase in variance of the treatments for different yield components over untreated control was observed irrespective of genotypic differences. The EMS and 300Gy treatment in TG-41 and GPBD-4, respectively, recorded significant variances for most of the yield components indicating potentiality of the mutagens in creation of the variability. Out of the two cultivars, GPBD-4 was more sensitive to mutagenic treatment. Number of pods per plant and shelling outturn were more sensitive to mutagenic treatment. Number of branches per plant was found to be less sensitive to mutagenic treatment. Groundnut is one of the principal economic crops of the world, which has been exposed extensively to mutagenic treatments for induction of variability. In the present experiment, viable mutations exhibiting variability in their morphology such as chlorophyll deficiency, plant types, growth habit, leaf modification, flower and pod characters mutants were identified and isolated from two genotypes of groundnut from M2 generation, after treatment with physical (300 and 200Gy) and chemical mutagens (EMS 0.5%). The mutation frequency was highest in EMS (0.5%) and 300Gy treatment of TG-41 and GPBD-4 genotypes, respectively. Modifications in plant types like dwarf, tall, growth habit and shape and size of leaves were more frequent. A number of sterile and chlorophyll deficiency mutants also were noticed in all treatments. Some of the viable mutations of interest realized were those with pod character such as bold pods, pods with and without constriction and beak. The most interesting mutants observed were those with respect to diseases, wherein partial disease resistant mutants in low frequency noticed in a highly susceptible genotype TG-41 and on the contrary susceptible mutants seen in a resistant genotype GPBD-4. Many of the viable mutants exhibited the association with number of characters indicating pleiotropism or close linkage. The frequency of viable mutants was independent to genotype and mutagens. In general, the frequency of mutations was more in GPBD-4 than TG-41 genotype. ABSTRACT The experiment was conducted in five locations of the eastern dry zone of Karnataka, two in research stations and three in farmers’ fields during early kharif 2005. Fifty sesame entries were evaluated in an augmented design. Observations were recorded at the time of harvest on morphological, yield and yield attributes. Genetic variability parameters, phenotypic and genotypic variances, heritability and genetic advance, correlations and path coefficients were studied for these characters. Based on these studies, a plant type with the characters viz., early maturity, tallness, less plant height upto first branch, less number of nodes upto first branch, high number of primary branches and capsules per plant and long and wide capsules can be considered as essential in achieving improvement in seed yield under early kharif conditions. ABSTRACT Apomictic lines viz., IS-244/4/1, IS-244/4/2, IS-181/7/1 and IS- 376/4/1/5/19 were 232.94, 199.89, 277.20 and 261.47 µ and revealed that distance of phloem from lower epidermis was at par with Gossypium arboreum check (PA 183). Apomictic lines IS-244/4/2 and IS-376/4/1/5/19 had more palisade compactness (5.36 and 5.64 cells per 10 µ) than checks and other apomictic lines. Parenchyma tissue compactness of apomictic lines IS 244/4/1, IS 181/7/1 and IS-376/4/1/5/19 were similar to that of G. arboreum (PA-183). Number of stomata per microscopic field, length and breadth of stomata were reduced in apomictic lines than G. arboreum and G. hirsutum. Morphological characters like plant height, leaves and floral parts in apomictic lines were found to be reduced in size than G. hirsutum and G. arboreum. REZA HAGHPARAST, S.S. SINGH, K. V. PRABHU, J. B. SHARMA, REZA MOHAMMADI AND AHMED AMRI Amri [A new partially dominant resistance gene from synthetic hexaploid wheat against leaf rust (Puccinia recondita)]. Crop Res. 35 (1 & 2) : 110-115 (2008). Division of Genetics Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, India *(e-mail : rezahaghparast@yahoo.com). ABSTRACT Utilization of synthetic hexaploid wheats (SHWs) in crosses with bread wheat represents a promising source of important traits including resistance to leaf rust. The SHW (Syn51) line, derived from the cross between T. turgidum var. durum (cv. Duergand-2) and an accession of T. tauschii (Ac.221) provided by CIMMYT, showed high degree of resistance to seven pathotypes of leaf rust in India including the most virulent pathotype 77-5 at seedling and adult plant stages. Results derived from F1, F2, F3 and BC1 of the cross between Syn51 and ‘Agra Local’ as susceptible parent and reciprocal cross showed that resistance in Syn51 was conferred by a single partially dominant gene. The resistance pattern of Syn51 against seven leaf rust pathotypes was different from that of near isogenic lines (NILs) carrying Lr genes derived from T. turgidum and T. tauschii, resistant to the pathotype 77-5. This result was confirmed by test of allelism with those NILs. Monosomic analysis revealed that the resistance gene was located on 5D, the chromosome of Lr1 which is highly susceptible to 77-5. According to the gene postulation and allelism test and monosomic analysis, the resistance gene in Syn51 could be considered as a new gene conferring resistance to leaf rust.
ABSTRACT Flag smut infection resulted in reduction of physiological parameters viz., photosynthesis, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance except leaf temperature. The rate of photosynthesis was reduced by 49.80, 58.69 and 60.96% in highly susceptible variety WH 147 after 20, 35 and 50 days of disease appearance, respectively, followed by WH 542 and WH 283. Healthy plants of all three cultivars showed higher transpiration rate i. e. 6.69-8.27 m moles/m2/S as compared to 5.05-6.62 m/moles/m2/S in diseased plants after 50 days of disease appearance. The stomatal conductance also decreased in diseased plants of highly susceptible variety WH 147 upto 30.07, 56.64 and 103.3% after 20, 35 and 50 days of disease appearance. However, there was an increase in leaf temperature i. e. 23.7- 31.3oC under disease stress conditions as compared to 23.5-30.1oC in healthy plants. Flag smut induced maximum reduction in total chlorophyll in highly susceptible variety WH 147 ranging from 29.47-271.45%, while minimum i. e. 43.58-150.52% in resistant variety WH 283. Similarly, carotenoid constituents were also reduced in highly susceptible variety WH 147 upto 89.14, 184.66 and 278.76% after 20, 35 and 50 days of disease appearance, respectively.
ABSTRACT Eight barley cultivars/genotypes were sown by two common methods of sowing i. e. pora and kera on 8 November 2005 and also at three different sowing times 8, 19 and 30 November 2005 in the field of Barley Research Area, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2005-06 crop season. The covered smut appeared in the range of 1.47-66.70 and 0.92-42.60% on plant and tiller basis, respectively, in the pora method of sowing, whereas by kera method it was low and ranged from 0.0-38.89 and 0.0-21.10% on plant and tiller basis, respectively. The reduction in disease by kera method of sowing ranged between 29.29-100 and 36.21-100% on plant and tiller basis, respectively, as compared to pora method. Two cultivars, namely, BH-75 and BH-338 escaped from disease by kera method of sowing. Time of sowing revealed that disease incidence was maximum in first date of sowing i. e. 8 November 2005 ranging between 1.47-38.55 and 0.63-23.22% on plant and tiller basis, respectively. There was reduction in disease incidence in the range of 27.02-100 and 31.13-100% on plant and tiller basis, respectively, in the second date of sowing (19 November 2005) as compared to first date of sowing (8 November 2005) and it decreased further ranging from 46.12-100 and 56.80-100% on plant and tiller basis, respectively, in third date of sowing i. e. 30 November 2005. The genotype BH-338 escaped from disease in second and third dates of sowing, whereas BH-331, BH-885 and BH-885 escaped in third date of sowing. ABSTRACT A total of 250 linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) germplasm lines/varieties were screened for resistance to Alternaria blight and bud fly in field under artificial epiphytotic condition. Six genotypes NDL-2004, NDL-2005-03-02, EC-22704, EC-41623, NDLS-169 and NDLS-164 were consistently resistant to disease and pest during rabi 2004-05 and 2005-06. These lines may be used as a donor parents in on-going multiple resistance breeding programme in linseed. ABSTRACT In laboratory screening, out of nine fungicides, Benomyl, Metalaxyl, Bavistin and Topsin-M completely inhibited the growth of the fungus. These effective fungicides were used in field experiment as spray and it was observed that Bavistin, Benomyl and Metalaxyl were found effective in controlling the disease. ABSTRACT Guava, the apple of tropics, is one of the cheapest and popular fruits of India which is a good source of vitamin C and pectin. Post-harvest diseases caused 10-30% loss during storage. Eco-friendly management practices were evaluated against post-harvest pathogens in laboratory inoculated guava fruits. Efficiency of two antagonistic yeasts (Candida sp. and Rhodotorula sp.) and fungicide (Carbendazim, 0.1%) were tested individually and in combination against predominant post-harvest fungal pathogens viz., Penicillium expansum and Pestalotia psidii at 5, 10 and 15 days after storage. Both the antagonists controlled the disease more efficiently when used individually compared to in combination on the basis of physiochemical parameters and also incresed the shelf life of guava fruits. ABSTRACT Jatropha species are used in our traditional system of medicines in curing different ailments. The present study was focussed on the comparative analysis on antibacterial activity of Jatropha curcas, J. glandulifera and J. gossypifolia. These plants were screened for their antibacterial aspects against the three species of bacterial strains, namely, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibacterial activities were assessed by Agar well diffusion method. Among the bacterial strains, B. subtilis showed higher sensitivity to petroleum ether extracts of J. curcas and J. gossypifolia when compared to the other strains and extracts. ABSTRACT Eight germplasms of ginger were collected from the hilly areas of Meghalaya and Nagaland to study their field performance in the Gangetic Alluvial Plains of West Bengal. The experiment was carried out for consecutive two years at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, with a soil pH of 7.1. Observations on yield attributing parameters clearly showed that among the collections HC-5 produced maximum yield of rhizome (166.45 q/ha) followed by HC-1 (153.30 q/ha). A significant variation was also noted among the other germplasm regarding various characters. ABSTRACT The correlation study revealed that harvest index was the most important character for increasing the yield, as it exhibited significantly positive association at genotypic and phenotypic levels. The other traits like plant height, umbels per plant and biological yield per plant showed significant positive correlation with grain yield at phenotypic level. Path analysis revealed that biological yield per plant exhibited highest positive direct effect on grain yield, followed by test weight and plant height with overall positive genotypic correlation. Therefore, selection for these traits would be easy and bring about improvement in cumin. ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted during 2003 to study the effect of added nutrients like N, P, K, Mg and Ca on the growth of coffee seedlings. In this experiment as media sand, coir dust and soil supplemented with different levels of potassium nitrate, potassium sulphate, dolomite, calcium carbonate and single super phosphate were used. The results revealed that the treatment T3 which is composed of 1:1:1 sand, coir dust and soil (v/v) + SSP (600 g) + KNO3 (90 g) + K2SO4 (90 g) + CaCO3 (600 g) + dolomite (600 g)/cubic metre of the mixture recorded maximum plant height, number of leaves, number of nodes, stem girth and leaf area, when observed at 55, 85, 115 and 145 days after germination. The coffee seedlings responded significantly to the added nutrients. ABSTRACT The study was conducted in Bangalore Rural District of Karnataka state during 2006-07 to find out the technology adoption and marketing behaviour of potato growers. Sixty potato growers were interviewed with the help of a pre-tested interview schedule. The results revealed that 48.33, 26.67 and 25% of the potato growers were low, medium and high adopters of recommended cultivation practices, respectively. HOPCOMS, pre-harvesting contractors and wholesalers were the major marketing channels preferred by the respondents for the sale of potatoes. ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted on a sandy clay loam soil at the College Farm, College of Agriculture, ANGRAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, A. P., India during rabi 2004, to evalute the effect of different tillage practices and seed priming on chickpea. Significant differences among tillage practices were not noticed with regards to grain yield. The significantly higher yield of 499 kg/ha was obtained with seed priming for 8 h which remained at par with 4 and 6 h priming. This might be due to improved growth and yield components of chickpea under seed priming. ABSTRACT Field investigations were carried out at Dharwad during kharif 2000 to study the effects of genotypes, spacings and fertility levels on growth and yield of ricebean for fodder. Plant height, number of trifoliate leaves, leaf area index, dry matter per plant and eventually green forage yield (13.47 t/ha) and dry forage yield (2.43 t/ha) were found to increase significantly when the crop was sown at a plant geometry of 30 x 10 cm compiled with the basal application of 35 kg N/ha, 70 kg P2O 5/ha and 35 kg K2O/ha. Interaction effects among genotypes, spacings and fertility levels could not be visualised.
ABSTRACT The study was conducted in Srinivasapura taluk of Kolar district in Karnataka state to know the attitude of mango growers towards sustainable farming practices. Data were collected from 100 mango growers using a pre-tested interview schedule. The results revealed that a larger number of mango growers (48%) possessed favourable attitude towards sustainable farming practices.
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