All India Coordinated Research Project Research Articles

Gene actions and combining ability effects on grain yield and its constituent traits in inbred lines of quality protein maize

In the present study twenty-eight hybrid combinations resulting from the half-diallel mating of eight quality protein maize (QPM) inbred lines were chosen in order to examine the potential to combine and gene activity for ten yield and component attributes. As part of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on maize during the kharif-2020 season, the experiment was done at the research farm of college of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT) Bhubaneswar, using a randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Every observation recorded was subjected to statistical evaluation and it was revealed that the mean squares derived from the general combining ability (gca) and specific combining ability (sca) were highly significant (p ≥0.01). Estimates of sca effects were greater than that of gca effects for all of the variables used in the study, suggesting to the predominance of dominant gene action. The inbred lines Q4-DQL 2221-1-1(833.792), Q2-DQL 2099 (517.658) and Q3- DQL 2159 (350.325) shows high gca effects for yield and its attributing traits due to more additive gene action thus identified as good general combiners for yield. Twelve of the twenty-eight crosses showed significant (p ≥0.01 and 0.05) positive sca effect on grain yield. The best experimental crosses for grain yield based on per se performance and sca effects were Q2 x Q8 (2106.748), Q1 x Q6 (2053.048), Q3 x Q7 (2027.082), and Q3 x Q6 (1719.884).

Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) Practices on Soil Quality Indicators and Indices Under Cotton (Gossypium Spp.) + Black Gram (Vigna Mungo (L.) Hepper) and Green Gram (Vigna Radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) + Rabi Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench) Inter Cropping Systems in Rainfed Vertisols of Western India

ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of seven predominant integrated nutrient management (INM) practices on soil quality indicators and indices under two inter-cropping systems, namely cotton + black gram and green gram + rabi sorghum, at the All-India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA), Parbhani Center, located in Central and Western Maharashtra, India. The INM practices include F1: Farmyard Manure (FYM) @ 5 t ha−1; F2: Gliricidia @ 3t ha−1 (semi dried leaves + very soft upper twigs); F3: Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF); F4: 25% RDF + FYM @ 2.5 t ha−1; F5: 25% RDF + Gliricidia @ 1.5 t ha−1 (semi dried leaves + very soft upper twigs); F6: Control with rotation and F7: Absolute control without rotation. The order of overall performance of the INM treatments, in terms of mean Soil Quality Index (SQI), across both the cropping systems studied was: F1 (2.59) > F4 (2.55) > F5 (2.52) > F2 (2.49) > F3 (2.40) > F6 (2.12) > F7 (2.04). In case of Cotton + black gram system, the predominant soil parameters which emerged as key soil quality indicator, along with their percent contribution toward soil quality index, were: organic C (21%), available Mn (21%), labile C (20%), dehydrogenase activity (DHA) (19%), pH (5%), available S (5%), mean weight diameter of soil aggregates (MWD) (5%) and available K (4%). However, in case of green gram + rabi sorghum system, labile C (24%), available K (23%), available Mn (23%), microbial biomass C (MBC) (21%) and available S (9%) were found to be the key soil quality indicators in the black soil under study. The common indicators for the two cropping systems studied under these Vertisol soils were: available K, available S, available Mn and Labile carbon (LC). Thus, these indicators assume great significance in managing the Vertisol soils under study. The methodology followed and the results of the present study will be immensely useful to different stakeholders in conducting such future studies and managing and improving soil quality under different inter-cropping systems in Vertisols.

Screening of Cucurbits Germplasm for Antixenosis Basis of Resistance against Fruit Flies, Bactrocera spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Varietal screening of cucurbit germplasm for their relative resistance/ susceptibility against fruit flies, Bactrocera spp. infestation was done at field trial laid under All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Vegetables in the Vegetable Experimental Farm, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, Shalimar during kharif season, 2021 in different cucurbit crops i.e. Bottle gourd, Bitter gourd, Ridge gourd, Muskmelon and Cucumber. Various antixenotic traits including pubescence on fruit, fruit shape, color of fruits, rind thickness, flesh thickness, fruit toughness, fruit length and diameter, depth and number of ribs were studied on fifty-four varieties/genotypes of different cucurbit crops to assess their relative resistance/susceptibility to fruit flies. The cucurbit genotypes with maximum rind thickness, Pubescence, fruit toughness had least fruit flies infestation; and had significant influence in imparting resistance against fruit flies; however, shape, size and color of the cucurbit fruits were not of much significance in conferring resistance to fruit flies infestation.

Frontline demonstrations in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh : An impact analysis

Madhya Pradesh is one of the potential States for castor cultivation with highest productivity after Gujarat. Several technologies and crop management options have been developed by Directorate of Oilseeds Research (DOR) and All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on castor centres, that can significantly increase the yield, but adoption of these technologies by farmers has been far less than anticipated. Realizing the importance of extending these technologies for improving the yields at farmers' level, frontline demonstrations (FLDs) were conducted to show the productivity potential and profitability of improved production and protection technologies by AICRP Castor Chhindwara centre, Madhya Pradesh. The present study assessed the impact of these FLDs in enhancing the yield of castor and the socio-economic factors contributing to the adoption of improved technology by farmers. The results indicated that the mean seed yield and the additional net returns were higher in FLD farmers plots compared to non-FLD farmers. Adoption of farmer was highly correlated with socio-economic characteristics such as knowledge level, farm size and training programmes attended. The major contributing factors for adoption of improved practices were knowledge level and exposure to demonstrations.

Characterization and spatial mapping of irrigation water quality and their effects on soil properties in Hathin Block of Palwal district, Haryana

Aim: Characterization and spatial mapping of irrigation water quality of Hathin block, District Palwal, Haryana. Methodology: In order to assess the ground water quality for irrigation suitability and their effect on soil chemical properties, 68 ground water samples were collected, and analyzed for pH, EC, anions (CO32-, HCO3-, Cl-, SO42- and NO3-) and cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+). Water quality indices [(Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC)] were also computed. Results: The pH and EC of water samples ranged from 6.69-8.35 and 0.77 -11.99 dSm-1 with mean value of 7.48 and 4.21 dSm-1, respectively. The cations and anions followed the order: Na+> Mg2+> Ca2+> K+, and Cl- > SO42-> HCO3−> CO32−>NO3−. RSC and SAR ranged from Nil - 5.40 me l-1 and 5.64 - 19.98 (mmol l-1)1/2, respectively. According to All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) classification, out of total water samples, 17.6 % were found as good, 22.1 % as marginal saline, 4.4 % as saline, 48.5 % as high SAR saline, and 7.4 % as higher alkali. Interpretation: The soluble ions were found higher under higher saline conditions as compared to the locations had good quality irrigation water, which altered soil nutrient status. In order to mitigate the negative impacts of such water, it is advised that brackish or saline groundwater be used to irrigate field crops by diluting it with canal (good quality) water. Key words: Residual sodium carbonate, Soluble ions, Sodium absorption ratio, Water quality indices

A modified and effective stem inoculation technique for artificial screening against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in mustard

AbstractSclerotinia stem rot (SR) disease emerged as a potential threat in most mustard‐growing regions globally. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a necrotrophic pathogen, causes considerable damage to the crop under congenial environments. The sclerotia even under adverse conditions can survive up to 5 years in the soil. The use of resistant sources is the only mean to combat the pathogen. The development of an effective inoculation technique can facilitate the identification of new sources of resistance rapidly. Investigations on resistant sources using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium for artificial stem inoculation are ongoing under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on rapeseed‐mustard for many years but no resistant sources could been identified. In the present study, two non‐injury stem inoculation techniques using sorghum grains and PDA medium as a basal medium were tested on 11 brassica entries for up to three consecutive years. Results revealed that sorghum grain‐based inoculum was found efficient for disease development and lesion formation in brassica entries compared with PDA‐based inoculum. Among the entries, a maximum disease incidence of 42.3% was recorded in entry DRMR 5206 followed by DRMRSJ‐20, DRMRSJ‐22 and DRMR 2017‐8 with 42.1%, 41.8% and 41.3% SR incidence, respectively. In PDA disc inoculation maximum SR incidence of 30.8% was observed in DRMRSJ‐26 followed by DRMR 5206, DRMRSJ‐25 and DRMRSJ‐2017‐18 with 27.5%–24.9%, respectively. Lesion length was more in entries inoculated with fungal mycelium multiplied on sorghum grains compared with the PDA disc inoculation method. The statistical analysis and results of p‐value (<.00001) showed a significant difference between tested methodologies. Thus, the sorghum grain‐based inoculation technique is an appropriate, economic and effective non‐injury inoculation technique for artificial screening against S. sclerotiorum in the mustard crop. This technique can be used to screen a large number of brassica entries more efficiently with less labour and time.

Role of Differential Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield Attributes of Cashew (Anacardium occidetale L.) in Maidan Tracts of Karnataka

The research on Nutrient Management for yield maximization in Cashew was conducted under Crop management, All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cashew at Horticulture Research and Extension Centre, Hogalagere, Kolar district, Karnataka state, India during the period of 2020–21. There were six treatments imposed in the experiment, among the treatments, treatment-5 (T5) i.e ., cashew trees imposed with 100% RDF (500:250:250 g)+10 kg FYM along with foliar spray of major nutrients (3% Urea+0.5% MAP+1% K2SO4), secondary and micronutrients (0.5% ZnSo4+0.1% solubor as boron+0.5% MgSo4) was found significantly superior over remaining treatments in terms of growth parameters like Stem girth (17.91 cm), Canopy height (2.66 m), Canopy spread (E-W : 7.08 m except T4 and N-S : 7.12 m), Mean canopy diameter (7.10 m), Canopy surface area (158.55 m2 ) and ground area covered by plant canopy (61.99%). Whereas, T5 was also recorded significantly superior over other treatments and followed similar trend as in growth attributing parameters, such as Nut yield per tree (14.50 kg), Yield per hectare ( 18.87 q), Cumulative nut yield for six years of harvest (56.82 kg) and Cumulative yield per hectare (88.64 q). However the treatment-5 was also numerically elevated higher values in remaining all parameters and the lowest observation values were found in T6 (control). When look at the overall performance, treatment-5 (T5) was found to be best treatment.

Godavari Ratna - New Oil Palm Hybrid Released for Coastal Region of Maharashtra

Palm oil is an important source of vegetable oil used in a wide range of products. In India, an area of 19.33 lakh ha in 18 states is identified as the potential area for oil palm cultivation by various Expert Committees constituted by the Government of India. Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), being a potential carbon-sequestering perennial crop by biological means, has helped in mitigating global warming and climatic fluctuations. Considering the need for potentially high-yielding oil palm variety for plantation, ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR), Pedavegi, supplied ten new hybrids for testing their performance under different agro-climatic conditions in India. The present study conducted under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Palms (Oil palm) at the College of Horticulture, Mulde, Maharashtra revealed that out of ten different hybrids (NRCOP-01 to NRCOP-10), hybrid NRCOP-2 performed consistently better in terms of yield. NRCOP-2 recorded the highest bunch weight (19.22 kg bunch-1), number of fresh fruit bunches per palm (8.14), highest fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) yield (22.14 t ha-1) and highest oil yield (5.36 t ha-1) as compared to other hybrids. Based on twelve years of evaluation, NRCOP-2 was consistently found to be high oil yielding and hence was released for cultivation in the coastal region of Maharashtra and Western Ghat under the name Godavari Ratna during the 2019 Annual Group Meeting of AICRP on Palms.

Incidence and Intensity of Early Blight in Potato under Different Dates of Planting

Aim: The study aims to the progression of the early blight of potato in relation to weather parameters such as maximum temperature, minimum temperature, maximum relative humidity, minimum relative humidity, and rainfall.
 Place and Duration of Study: Epidemiological investigation was conducted during rabi season of 2021-22 at the research field of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on potato, OUAT, Bhubaneswar.
 Methodology: The trial was laid out in Split Plot Design with different dates of planting (26 November and 16 December), as the main plots and four varieties (Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Khyati, Kufri Surya, and Kufri Jyoti) as the subplots.
 Results: The initial infection of early blight occurred during 52 Standard Meteorological Week (SMW). The highest percentage of disease intensity and incidence occurred in the variety Kufri Pukhraj followed by Kufri Khyati, Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Surya under 26 November planting.
 Conclusion: Minimum and maximum temperatures and minimum relative humidity had a significantly positive correlation with the incidence and intensity of early blight. Stepwise multiple linear regression equations revealed that maximum temperature, maximum and minimum relative humidity, and rainfall was responsible for early blight in potatoes.

Genetic Evaluation of Post Weaning Growth Performances in Large White Yorkshire Cross Bred Pigs

Background: The profitability in swine production is mostly associated to the superior growth performance. The information pertaining to the genetic and non-genetic factors influencing growth traits is significant to enable animal breeders to adopt better selection and managemental methods. Methods: Data from 50% LWY-Desi genetic group and 75% LWY-Desi genetic group that were maintained at the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Pigs, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati were used to understand the effect of genetic and non-genetic parameters on production traits. Result: The genetic group, period of birth, season, parity and sex have significant influence on post weaning body weights in most of the ages. Certain age groups showed significant effect on post-weaning average daily gain; but no specific trend was observed for age groups between the two genetic groups. The heritability estimates for post weaning body weights and ADG were medium to high in both the genetic groups. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among post-weaning body weight were inconsistent in direction. Overall, the 75% LWY-Desi genetic group performed better than 50% LWY-Desi genetic group, presumably due to the higher exotic inheritance and genetic superiority.

Stability Analysis for Assessment of Yield Performance and Adaptability of Selected Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Genotypes under Multi Location Trials in India

A study was conducted in April 2020 based on the data collected from the All-India Coordinated Research Project on Sub-Tropical Fruits (AICRP-STF) and Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow, India. The objective was to identify the high yielding and stable genotypes of mango using Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and Genotype plus Genotype×Environment interaction (GGE) biplot analyses. Data on sixteen genotypes of mango tested across four locations, viz., Rewa, Sabour, Sangareddy, and Vengurla, over nine years was considered for the study. Combined analysis of variance showed highly significant differences (p<0.01) for genotype, environmental main effects and genotype×environment interaction (GEI) effects. The significant GEI contributes about 42.81% of the total sum of squares. AMMI analysis partitioned the GEI into fifteen interaction principal component axes and a residual term. The first two interaction principal component axes (IPCA1, IPCA2) collectively accounted for 40.80% of GEI sum of squares. AMMI analysis recommended Zardalu, Mankurad and GGE biplot analysis recommended Totapari, Mankurad as superior mango genotypes for cultivation in all the test locations. GGE biplot analysis classified the test locations into two mega environments. The first mega environment includes Rewa and Sangareddy with Neelum as the best suitable genotype; the second includes Vengurla and Sabour with Suvarnarekha as the best suitable genotype. The present study also concluded that GGE biplot analysis was the best analytical tool for identifying location-specific genotypes of mango, and AMMI analysis was the best for identifying superior genotypes having high yield with stability across all the test locations.

Efficacy of Seed Treatment and Foliar Application of Against Soybean Stem Fly Melanagromyza sojae

A field experiment on the effectiveness of seed treatment and foliar application of insecticides againstsoybean stem fly Melanagromyza sojae (Zehntner) was carried out at the All India Coordinated ResearchProject (AICRP) on Soybean, Gandhi Krishi Vignan Kendra (GKVK), Bengaluru, Karnataka duringkharif 2017. The seeds treated with thiamethoxam 30FS @ 10 ml/kg seed and foliar application ofthiamethoxam 25WG 0.40 g/ l at 30 days after germination (DAG) were found effective. It was on par withseeds treated with imidacloprid 48FS @ 1.25 ml/ kg seed and foliar application of imidacloprid 17.8SL@ 0.50 ml/ l at 30 DAG. The plots treated with these gave higher grain yield of 1794.48 and 1678.89 kg/ha, respectively. Higher net gain of 1: 4.22 was obtained from the seeds treated with thiamethaxom 30FS@ 10 ml/ kg seed and foliar application of thiamethoxam 25WG 0.40 g/ l at 30 DAG; and it proved to behighly cost effective. The foliar application of chlorantraniliprole 18.5SC @ 0.30 ml/ l at 10 and 30 DAGwas equally effective compared to thiamethoxam and recorded the C: B ratio of 1: 3.94. The plots treatedwith quinalphos 25EC @ 2 ml/ l at 10 and 30 DAG led to the least stem tunneling of (26.73%) and thelow grain yield of 1177.78 kg/ ha.

Effect of Tillage and Weed Management Practices on Physico-chemical Properties of Soil and Yield of Soybean in Inceptisols

An investigation was carried during the year 2018-19 to study the“ Effect of tillage and weed management practices on physico-chemical properties of soil and yield of soybean in Inceptisols” at Research Farm of All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Weed Management, Department of Agronomy, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. The study has focused the integrated effect of tillage and weed management practices on physico chemical properties of soil, yield of soybean and availability of nutrients. Five weed control practices were superimposed in four strips of different tillage practices in strip plot with three replications. The tillage operations consist of conventional tillage, reduced tillage, minimum tillage and zero tillage, however weed management practices includes application of pre emergence weedicide (diclosulam), post emergence weedicides (propaquizafop + imazethapyr.), integration of pre emergence and post emergence weedicide, hand weeding and weedy check. The soils of experimental plot was alkaline in reaction and low to medium in organic carbon. The available nitrogen and phosphorus was low and potassium was high to very high. Based on the observations noted, the bulk density of soil was significantly influenced due to tillage and weed management practices. The highest bulk density was noted with zero tillage (1.46 Mg m-3) followed by reduced tillage (1.45 Mg m-3). The highest Mean Weight Diameter (0.75 mm) was enumerated with minimum tillage and hand weeding management practice (0.75 mm). While, the interaction of tillage and weed management practices showed non-significant results in respect of soil physical properties. The highest available of nitrogen (207.33 kg ha-1), phosphorus (20.07 kg ha-1) and potassium (346.1 kg ha-1) were recorded with minimum tillage and with hand weeding practice.

Characterization of 24bp Insertion Polymorphism of Prolactin Gene and its Association with Quantitative Traits in Tellicherry Native Chicken Breed

Background: Over many centuries, the conventional methods of poultry breeding is based on the phenotypic selection of the birds with superior trait in a particular population. Prolactin is a physiological candidate gene that has significant effects on production traits in poultry. The objective of this study was to investigate 24bp insertion (I) polymorphism of prolactin gene and its association with quantitative traits in Tellicherry native chicken. Methods: A total of 200 blood samples were collected from the randomly selected birds of All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Poultry Breeding, Mannuthy. The isolated DNA samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by using specific set of primers to amplify the 24bp insertion polymorphism. PCR amplicons were sequenced to study the polymorphism at nucleotide level. Result: PCR amplification revealed the presence of a specific DNA fragment with 130/154bp contained 24bp insertion polymorphism. Based on the polymorphic patterns birds were designated with three genotypes as II, ID and DD. The frequency of I (0.6975) allele was found higher than D (0.3025) allele. Our experimental results revealed that 24bp insertion polymorphism of prolactin did not have a significant association with production traits viz, age at sexual maturity, egg weight and egg number in Tellicherry native chicken.

Fuzzy Rough Set Theory (FRST) Classifier for Pest Prediction in India

Total cotton production is affected by an important factor called cotton pests occurrence. During the growth of cotton, environmental factors having great dependence especially during climate change. In multi-disciplinary agri-technologies domain, for data intensive science, for creating new opportunities, machine learning with big data technologies is used as a high-performance computing technique and good results are produced using this. However, running time and accuracy are highly important task. Affected crop pests are only predicted using available machine learning techniques. But there wont be any accurate level of pest affection by cotton. In this paper, proposed a Fuzzy Rough Set Theory (FRST) for handling this pest prediction level. There are four major steps in this proposed work, namely, results evaluation, prediction, pre-processing and dataset collection. From 2010-2020, from All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) collected the dataset in the first stage. Irrelevant features are removed by performing pre-processing in the second stage and for prediction, needed features only considered. However, for prediction, weather parameters like Rainfall (RF), Relative Humidity-Evening(RH-E), Relative Humidity-Morning(RH-M), Minimum Temperature(Min-Temp) and Maximum Temperature(Max-Temp) are used. For pest prediction, only these weather parameters are used and from original dataset removed the remaining parameters. This produces a pre-processed dataset. For pest prediction, proposed a Fuzzy Rough Set Theory (FRST) classifier in third step. Cotton pest pre-processed dataset is used for training FRST. Activation corresponds to high approximation and lower approximation functions. Weather factors belonging to higher cotton pests are predicted in this result. For future pest, FRST network can be used as a better predictor according to pest records. Moreover, better performance is shown by proposed FRST network, when compared with traditional machine learning techniques like Random Forest (RF) and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP). At last, these pest prediction techniques effectiveness is measured using metrics like F-measure, Area Under the Curve (AUC), and Accuracy (ACC).

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) as model legume for decoding the co-existence of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Mesorhizobium sp. as bio-fertilizer under diverse agro-climatic zones

Microbial co-inoculation strategy utilizes a combination of microbes to stimulate plant growth concomitant with an increased phytopathogen tolerance. In the present study, 15 endophytic bacterial isolates from rhizosphere and roots of wild chickpea accessions (Cicer pinnatifidum, C. judiacum, C. bijugum and C. reticulatum) were characterized for morphological, biochemical and physiological traits. Two promising isolates were identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens strain LRE-2 (KR303708.1) and Pseudomonas argentinensis LPGPR-1 (JX239745.1) based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Biocompatibility of selected endophytes with Mesorhizobium sp. CH1233, a standard isolate used as a national check in All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) was assessed to develop functional combinations capable of producing Indole acetic acid, gibberellins, siderophores and improving seed vigour (in vitro). In vivo synergistic effect of promising combinations was further evaluated under national AICRP, (Chickpea) at two different agro-climatic zones [North-West plain (Ludhiana and Hisar) and Central zones (Sehore)] for three consecutive Rabi seasons (2015−18) to elucidate their effect on symbiotic, soil quality and yield parameters. On the pooled mean basis across locations over the years, combination of Mrh+LRE-2 significantly enhanced symbiotic, soil quality traits and grain yield over Mrh alone and highly positive correlation was obtained between the nodulation traits and grain yield. Superior B: C ratio (1.12) and additional income of Rs 6,505.18 ha−1 was obtained by application of Mrh+LRE-2 over Mrh alone and un-inoculated control. The results demonstrate that dual combination of Mrh and Pseudomonas sp. from wild Cicer relatives can be exploited as a potential bio-fertilizer for increasing soil fertility and improving chickpea productivity under sustainable agriculture.

Optimization of integrated nutrient recommendations through soil test crop response approach for forage oats (Avena sativa L.) in a Mollisol

A field experiment was conducted during the year 2018-19 to optimize integrated nutrient recommendations through soil test crop response approach for forage oats (Avena sativa L.) grown in a Mollisol of Uttarakhand. The experiment was conducted as per the technical programme and methodology of All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Soil Test Crop Response Correlation (STCR). Response of forage oats to selected combinations of three levels of farmyard manure (0, 5 and 10 t FYM ha-1), four levels of nitrogen (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha-1), four levels of phosphorus (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg P2O5 ha-1) and four levels of potassium (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg K2O ha-1) at different soil fertility levels was studied. It was found that to produce one quintal forage yield, forage oats required 0.27 kg of N, 0.03 kg of P2O5 and 0.32 kg of K2O with FYM. The per cent contributions of N, P2O5 and K2O were 71.4, 33.7 and 59.9 from soil and 73.0, 7.51 and 90.4 from FYM, 89.6, 50.8 and 302.7 from chemical fertilizers and 102.4, 52.9 and 351.5 from conjoint use of chemical fertilizers with FYM. Using these data, fertilizer prescription equations were developed for adjusting fertilizer dose in forage oats for different range of soil test values and desired yield targets.

Identification of 24bp indel(s) Polymorphism in the Promoter Region of prolactin Gene and its Association with Broodiness in Tellicherry Native Chicken

Background: Broodiness is a sex linked behavioural trait observed in most of the domestic fowls and it’s also known as incubation behaviour. Prolactin (PRL) is the principal gene which plays a crucial role to the onset and maintenance of broodiness in birds. The present study was aimed at identification of 24bp (insertion-deletion) indel polymorphism at the promoter region of prolactin gene and its association with broodiness in Telllicherry native chicken population. Methods: A total number of 200 birds of Tellicherry native chicken were randomly selected from All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP) on poultry improvement, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala. Blood samples were collected from the wing vein under aseptic condition and isolation of Genomic DNA was done. Isolated DNA samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific set of forward and reverse primer to detect a 24bp indel polymorphism in the prolactin gene. PCR amplicons were subjected to further molecular analysis. Result: According to the polymorphic patterns birds were categorized to three different genotypes viz., II (insertion-insertion), ID (insertion-deletion) and DD (deletion-deletion). The genotype and allele frequency was calculated and the frequency of I allele (0.6975) was found to be higher than D allele (0.3025). Results of this study suggest that the incubation behaviour could be eliminated in Tellicherry native chicken population by increasing the frequency of I allele upon selective breeding which may enhance the egg production. Therefore, this 24bp indel polymorphism could be used as a molecular marker in poultry breeding.

Growth and Yield of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] as Influenced by Organic Manures and Superabsorbent Polymers

Aims: The study aimed to assess soybean response to organic manures and superabsorbent polymers along with recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF: 25-60-25 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1).
 Study Design: The experiment was tested with a randomized complete block design (RCBD).
 Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was carried out during 2017-2018 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station (ZARS), All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on soybean, University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), GKVK, Bengaluru-560065, Karnataka, India.
 Methodology: The field experiment was having eight treatments with three replications. The treatments comprised RDF in combination with farmyard manure (FYM) at the rate of 3.0 t ha-1, potassium polyacrylate at the rate of 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 kg ha-1, pusa hydrogel, humic acid and vermicompost at the rate of 7.5 kg ha-1, 3.0 kg ha-1 and 3.0 t ha-1, respectively.
 Results: The results revealed that RDF with potassium polyacrylate at the rate of 7.5 kg ha-1 recorded significantly higher with respect to growth parameters viz., plant height (74.6 cm), number of branches plant-1 (14.2), leaf area (2394 cm2 plant-1) and total dry matter (57.3 g plant-1) and yield attributes like number of pods plant-1 (58.4), seed weight plant-1 (28.62 g), seed yield (2707 kg ha-1), stalk yield (4370 kg ha-1) and harvest index (0.38). The net returns (Rs. 68255 ha-1) and B:C ratio (3.58) were also recorded higher in the treatment having potassium polyacrylate at the rate of 7.5 kg ha-1 and RDF.

Web-Based Data Management Techniques for Coordinated Trials of Sugarcane Technologies

Sugarcane production technologies being developed by research institutions are highly location specific and require multi-location trials in diverse conditions before adoption. In India, multi-location trials of technologies are conducted under All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Sugarcane through a network of 36 centres in four disciplines of crop improvement, crop production, entomology and plant pathology. Monitoring and evaluation of trials is accomplished through experts’ field visits, meetings and workshop. Sugarcane being a long duration crop, a large amount of trial observation data are recorded by centres at various crop stages. Data are analysed, compiled and documented by centre officials, principal investigator and project coordinator for interpretation of trial results. Traditional system of data management poses many issues such as retyping of data, late reporting, wrong/missing data, poor documentation, wrong interpretation and poor decision support. A web-based software AICRP Reporter has been implemented for recording and reporting of AICRP trial data to solve these problems and to increase efficiency. Paper gives brief information about the data management technique used in this system for an effective coordination among various AICRP stakeholders for achieving its objectives. System enables timely reporting of data; consistent and reliable reports; and remote monitoring. Data once recorded can be utilized in historical perspective for new knowledge discovery. System is generic in nature and can be implemented for other such research organizations at national and international level with specific knowledge updation.