Anand Agricultural University Research Articles

Effect of Legume-Legume Replacement Series of Intercropping System on Growth, Yield and Quality of Chickpea

Chickpea is major pulse crop cultivated in India. Area under chickpea cultivation has been increasing day by day. Although area of chickpea is increasing still the productivity per unit area is not increasing. There are many factor responsible for lack of productivity including crop failure. Therefore, increasing productivity and for avoiding the risk associated with complete crop failure, intercropping is the way forward. Intercropping of legume in association with non-legumes helps in utilization of nitrogen being fixed by legumes in the current growing season, but also helps in residual build-up of nutrients in soil. Best utilization of nutrients, moisture, space and solar energy can be derived through intercropping system. Intercropping provides an insurance against calamities and helps in the maximization of productivity and profit by efficient utilization of natural resources. Hence, crop intensification is both in space and time dimensions. Selection of compatible genotype and appropriate planting pattern helps in minimizing the inter-specific and intra-specific competition for resources thereby boosting up the productivity of the system as a whole. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at College Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat during two consecutive rabi season of the year 2019-20 and 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD), consisting of nine treatment. viz.; T1: sole chickpea, T2: sole linseed, T3: sole fenugreek, T4: (chickpea + linseed 2:1), T5: (chickpea + linseed 3:1), T6: (chickpea + linseed 4:2), T7: (chickpea + fenugreek 2:1), T8: (chickpea + fenugreek 3:1) and T9: (chickpea + fenugreek 4:2) with four replication. Legume intercropping resulted in better growth due to complimentary actions of the both the crop. The total equivalent yield obtained from intercropping far surpasses the yield of the sole crop in unit area.

Screening of Different Genotypes/Varieties of Greengram against Spotted Pod Borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius)

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the different genotypes/varieties of greengram against spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata during kharif 2021 at Agronomy Farm, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. Total 20 genotypes/varieties were used and experiment was conducted in randomized block design with two replications. Among the twenty genotypes/varieties screened for their resistance to spotted pod borer, none of the genotypes/varieties was found to be highly resistant. Based on larval population, four genotypes/variety viz., VSGG 9, VMK 19-03, VMK 18-01 and Meha were categorized as resistant to spotted pod borer. While VSGG 2, GM 6, VSGG 8 and VSGG 4 were found susceptible. None of the genotypes/varieties was categorized as highly susceptible. The grain yield of different genotypes differed significantly and ranged from 757 kg/ha in the genotype VSGG 9 to 438 kg/ha in VSGG 4.

Impact of Weather Parameters on Population Dynamics of Tobacco Leaf Eating Caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (F.) Infesting Groundnut

Investigations on impact of weather parameters on population dynamics of tobacco leaf eating caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (F.) infesting groundnut was carried out at regional research station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during kharif 2021. Infestation of the S. litura on groundnut was observed from July to October. The infestation of S. litura started from third week of July (29th SMW) during kharif 2021. Thereafter, population and per cent damaged plants were gradually decreased toward the maturity of the crop up to last week of October (44th SMW). The maximum larval population of S. litura as well as per cent damaged plants were observed during the month of September (35th SMW to 39th SMW). S. litura larvae showed significantly positive correlation with rainfall, morning and evening relative humidity as well as morning and evening vapor pressure. Morning relative humidity contributed 44.5% variation in the larval population of S. litura.

Development of Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs’ (PPFMs) Consortium Formulation and Its Efficacy on Chilli (Capsicum annuum)

This research aims to investigate the potential effect of Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFMs) as foliar application to enhance growth parameters of chiili crop. The laboratory and pot studies were conducted at Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. The PPFMs were isolated from the phyllosphere of solanaceous crop (Chilli, Brinjal, Potato, Tomato and Tobacco) and five out of thirty isolates were selected based on their methanol consuming and plant growth promoting traits. Consortium of isolates (Methylobacterium populi AAU PPFM C-7, M. radiotolerans AAU PPFM C-17, M. populi AAU PPFM C-19, M. populi AAU PPFM T-2 and M. radiotolerans B-2) were prepared after studying their compatibility. Pot study was laid out in net house using completely randomized design with four replications on Chilli crop. The results of the study showed significant effect of PPFMs consortium on growth parameters of chilli (viz. shoot length, root length, shoot weight, root weight, number of branches per plant) that could be result of the plant growth promoting traits of PPFMs.

To Study the Impact of Seed Storage Period and Growth Regulators on Physiological Parameters of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) Seedling

An experiment entitled “To study the impact of seed storage period and growth regulators on physiological parameters of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) seedling” was conducted in a green shade net house at Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during the year kharif-2019. The treatment comprised three levels of seed storage period (S) viz., S1- 0 days after extraction of seed, S2- 5 days after extraction of seed and S3- 10 days after extraction of seed and five seed soaking treatments of growth regulators GA3 for 24 hrs (G) viz., G1- GA3 ‘at’ 100 mg 1-1, G2- GA3 ‘at’ 150 mg 1-1, G3- NAA ‘at’ 25 mg 1-1, G4- NAA ‘at’ 50 mg 1-1 and G5- Control. The experiment was conducted in Completely Randomized Design (Factorial) with 15 treatment combinations and repeated thrice. Sowing of fresh extracted seeds of jackfruit recorded at 90 DAS maximum leaf area (43.38 cm2), root: shoot ratio (0.22), vigour index-I (41.60) and vigour index-II (3.17). While, Soaking seed in GA3 ‘at’ 100 mg l-1 for 24 hrs recorded at 90 DAS maximum leaf area (52.34 cm2), root: shoot ratio (0.22), vigour index-I (38.08) and vigour index-II (3.13). Treatment combination sowing of fresh extracted seeds and soaking seeds in GA3 ‘at’ 100 mg l-1 for 24 hrs recorded at 90 DAS maximum leaf area (59.87 cm2) vigour index-I (56.03) and vigour index-II (5.37).

Effect of Weather Factors on Severity of Early Blight Incited by Alternaria solani (Ellis and Martin) Jones and Grout in Potato

A study was conducted to find out the influence of weather factors, temperature, relative humidity, bright sunshine hour, rainfall, evaporation and wind speed and spore load on the incidence of Alternaria solani (Ellis and Martin) Jones and Grout induced early blight of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) during 2019 to 2022. Eight weather factors taken from the agrometeorological observatory located at Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India, and were subjected to correlation analysis. The relationship between early blight and concerned weather parameters during Rabi 2020-21 revealed a highly significant positive correlation with evaporation (0.87) and maximum temperature (0.84) at the 0.01 level. PDI was significantly positively correlated with spore load (0.71) and bright sunshine hour (0.64) at the 0.05 level. Whereas Per cent Disease Intensity was negatively correlated with evening humidity (-0.78) at a 0.01 level. During the year Rabi (winter) 2021-22, a substantial negative correlation with evening humidity at the 0.05 level. PDI was positively correlated with spore load (0.79), bright sunshine (0.73) and evaporation (0.68).

Heritability Studies in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Genotypes

Genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for fruit yield and quality traits in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were examined at Main Vegetable Research Station (MVRS) of Anand Agricultural University, Anand, for the kharif-rabi season of 2022-23. The experimental material is made-up of six families developed for generation mean analysis from nine diverse parents viz., 2012/TODVAR-1, AVTOV 1007, GAT-5, 2015/TOLCV RES-1, 2014/TOOV-10, 2016/TOV-10, 2017/TOLV-4, and 2015/2016/TOLCV RES-4. The results show that family I, II, III, and family V exhibited higher values of broad sense heritability with higher genetic advance, was a positive indication of presence of additive gene action and suggests selection methods for improvement of this trait via selection procedures. Higher values of genetic advance were reported highest for lycopene content (452.67 %) for family I and (212.85 %) for family III, 1000 seed weight for family V. This study suggests that improvement of yield and associated traits in L. esculentum should be focused on character basis and requirement of breeding programs.

Random forest machine learning algorithm based seasonal multi‐step ahead short‐term solar photovoltaic power output forecasting

AbstractTo maintain grid stability, the energy levels produced by sources within the network must be equal to the energy consumed by customers. In current times, achieving energy balance mainly involves regulating the electrical energy sources, as consumption is typically beyond the control of grid operators. For improving the stability of the grid, accurate forecasting of photovoltaic power output from largely integrated solar photovoltaic plant connected to grid is required. In the present study, to improve the forecasting accuracy of the forecasting models, onsite measurements of the weather parameters and the photovoltaic power output from the 20 kW on‐grid were collected for a typical year which covers all four seasons and evaluated the random forest techniques and other techniques like deep neural networks, artificial neural networks and support vector regression (reference in this study). The simulation results show that the proposed random forest technique for the forecasting horizon of 15 and 30 min is performing well with 49% and 50% improvements in the accuracy respectively over reference model for the study location 22.78°N, 73.65°E, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Anand Agricultural University, Godhra, India.

Influence of Integrated Nitrogen Management on Growth and Yield of Beet Root (Beta vulgaris L.) Var. Crimson Globe

A field experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand with a view to study the Influence of integrated nitrogen management on growth and yield of beet root (Beta vulgaris L.) var. Crimson Globe during rabi, year 2020-21. The experiment was arranged in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications which includes 10 treatments. The results revealed that significantly maximum plant height of 16.71, 35.20 and 35.25 cm at 25, 50 DAS and at harvest, respectively observed in T3 (60 kg N/ha + 5 t/ha Vermicompost + 5 t/ha Castor cake). Similarly, the same treatment T3 was registered maximum number of leaves per plant at 25 (6.50), 50 (10.68) DAS and at harvest 14.30. The maximum fresh weight of leaves (224.45 g), dry weight of leaves (13.35 g), as well as leaf area (260.42 cm2) was also recorded with an application of 60 kg N/ha + 5 t/ha Vermicompost + 5 t/ha Castor cake. The yield attributing parameters viz. root length (16.23 cm), root diameter (7.85 cm), fresh weight of root (198.05 g), dry weight of root (18.75 g), root to shoot ratio (1.42), yield (21.91 kg/plot and 28.08 t/ha) and harvest index (55.68 %) was recorded in treatment T4 [60 kg N/ha + 12.5 t/ha FYM + 5 t/ha Vermicompost + Seed treatment of Anubhav Bio NPK consortium (5 ml/kg seed)].

Effect of Seed Priming on Fodder Yield of Maize

The study on effect of seed priming on yield and quality of fodder maize was carried out at Main Forage Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during the rabi season 2020-21. The research comprised of ten treatments and four replications, and it was set up in a randomized block design. The results of the experiments revealed that different seed priming treatments failed to create a significant response on plant population per meter row length at 15 DAS, days to 50% flowering, and plant height at 20 DAS. The growth and yield attributes of fodder maize crop viz., periodical plant height at 40 DAS and at harvest, number of leaves per plant, leaf stem ratio, green fodder yield, dry fodder yield, dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber and Neutral detergent fiber at harvest were significantly affected by different seed priming treatments and recorded significantly higher in treatment of Seed priming with ZnSO4 @ 0.5% for 6 hrs. and also reported maximum net realization with its BCR.

IMPACT OF TRAINING ON SYMBOLIC ADOPTION BEHAVIOR OF THE TRAINEE FARMERS ABOUT QUALITY SEED PRODUCTION

A study was conducted in 2019 - 2020 on a randomly selected 80 trainee farmers who were trained by the Department of Seed Science & Technology, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand about the various aspects of Quality Seed Production. The findings revealed that before the training less than two fifth (38.75 percent) of the trainee had a very low level of symbolic adoption, followed by 18.75 percent each of them had a medium and a high level of symbolic adoption, 16.25 percent had a low and only 7.5 percent of them had a very high level of symbolic adoption, respectively. Whereas, in the case of after the training, more than two fifths (45.00 percent) of them had a high level of symbolic adoption, followed by 42.50 percent had a very high, 10 percent had a medium and 2.5 percent had a low level of symbolic adoption, respectively. However in case of effectiveness, before training program the mean score for symbolic adoption of the trainees with respect to different aspects related to Quality Seed Production was found 39.02 and it was reached to 83.08 after the training with a net gain of 44.05.

Effect of Bio-NPK and Organic Manures on Growth, Yield and Economics of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis l.) var. Pusa Snowball K 1

The present investigation was carried out on “Effect of Bio-NPK and organic manures on growth, yield and economics of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis l.) var. Pusa Snowball K 1” at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during Rabi season 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with factorial concept with three replication and thirteen treatment combinations comprising of two level of Bio-NPK and six level of organic manures of total 12 combinations. The experiment result revealed that, treatment B1 (seedling dipping with Bio-NPK) was found the most effective treatment which recorded significantly maximum plant height (44.97, 51.74 and 58.16 cm), number of leaves at (10.65, 16.84 and 23.42), N-S plant spread (37.04, 50.67 and 63.88 cm) and E-W plant spread (34.78, 48.79 and 62.26 cm) at 40th, 60th and 80th DAT, respectively, weight of the curd (745.16 gm), diameter of the curd (16.99 cm) and yield per plot (13.46 kg). Treatment of organic manures significantly responded on growth and yield parameters viz., Among all treatment, treatment F3 (100 % RDN through VC) was the most effective treatment which recorded significantly maximum plant height (46.84, 54.42 and 61.00 cm), number of leaves (11.26, 17.66 and 24.19), plant spread N-S (37.58, 52.26 and 65.86), E-W (35.40, 50.05 and 64.25 cm) at 40th, 60th and 80th DAT respectively, weight of the curd (802.41 gm), diameter of the curd (17.69 cm) and yield per plot (14.72 kg). However, based on economics, treatments 75 % RDN through VC + 25 % RDN through FYM gave maximum net realization (197168 ₹ /ha).

Impact of Irrigation Scheduling and Nitrogen Management Through Drip Irrigation System on Nutrient Content and Uptake of Rabi Maize (Zea mays L.)

The state of the soil's nutrients can be significantly impacted by improper irrigation and nitrogen application, which may accelerate nutrient losses and cause soil erosion and ground water pollution. A field experiment was conducted during consecutive two rabi seasons of the years 2021 and 2022 at Regional Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India to study the “Impact of irrigation scheduling and nitrogen management through drip irrigation system on nutrient content and uptake of rabi maize (Zea mays L.)”. The soil of the experimental field was loamy sand in texture, with low organic carbon and available nitrogen, medium available phosphorus and high potassium with soil pH 8.21. The experiment was carried out in split plot design with four levels of irrigation scheduling based on Alternate Day Pan Evaporation Fraction (ADPEF) were considered in main plot viz., I1 : Irrigation scheduling at 0.8 ADPEF, I2 : Irrigation scheduling at 1.0 ADPEF, I3 : Irrigation scheduling at 1.2 ADPEF and I4 : Control (Flood irrigation) and three nitrogen management treatments viz. N1 : 100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer, N2 : 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + Bio NPK consortium, N3 : 50% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + Bio NPK consortium + 5 t/ha FYM were assigned in sub plots, comprised of 12 treatment combinations. Result of the experiment showed that irrigation scheduling at 1.2 ADPEF (I3) recorded significantly higher N content in grain and stover and it was remained at par with irrigation scheduling at 1.0 ADPEF (I2) during 2021, 2022 and pooled analysis. P and K content in grain and stover was found non-significant due to various irrigation scheduling treatments during individual years and on pooled basis. Irrigation scheduling at 1.2 ADPEF (I3) recorded significantly higher N, P uptake by grain and stover and K uptake by grain during 2021, 2022 and on pooled basis. K uptake by stover found significantly higher under irrigation scheduling at 1.2 ADPEF (I3) during 2021-22 and pooled basis. While K, uptake by stover found non-significant. Nitrogen management with 100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer recorded significantly the highest N content in grain and stover and pooled analysis. While, P and K content grain and stover found non- and pooled analysis. Application of 100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer found significantly higher N, P and K uptake by grain and stover and pooled basis. Interaction effect of irrigation scheduling and nitrogen management treatments was found significantly higher N uptake by grain and K uptake by stover (pooled basis) under irrigation scheduling at 1.2 ADPEF with 100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer (I3N1).

Economic and Technological Effect of Rice Variety GAR-13 in Middle Gujarat

The study aimed to comprehend the technological and economic impact by contrasting the prevalent local variety of rice grown by the farmers in the study area with the rice variety GAR-13, which was released by Anand Agricultural University. One hundred GAR-13 and one hundred local variety respondents were considered in collecting primary data. The findings showed that farmers who planted GAR-13 had better gross and net income per hectare than farmers who planted native varieties of rice, with a benefit-cost ratio of about 1.44 above Cost C2. Additionally, GAR-13 produced a yield and price that were much greater than those of the local variety, which helped the farmers' net income to increase. Furthermore, technology made for about 16.06 per cent of the total. The variation in productivity caused by the input consumption level was approximately 4.84 per cent, which went toward the overall productivity variance of crudely 19.93 per cent. According to the findings, adopting the GAR-13 improved variety of AAU, Anand enabled farmers to increase their income and profit from its high quality and cooking parameters. As a result, wider adoption of the variety has to be encouraged through capacity building and extension initiatives.

Effect of Feeding Moringa oleifera Replacing TMR on Nutrients Intake, Rumen Fermentation and Economics in Adult Cattle

A study was undertaken at Animal Nutrition Research Station, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India during January–March, 2020 to determine effect of feeding Moringa oleifera on nutrient intake, rumen fermentation and economics in adult cattle. Fourteen adult cattle were randomly divided into two groups on the basis of body weight viz., T1 (control): TMR (Wheat straw-70% and Concentrate-30%) and T2 (Treatment): Control TMR+Green Moringa oleifera (replacing TMR with 20% of total protein requirement of animal from green Moringa oleifera). The daily dry matter intake (kg), crude protein intake (g), digestible crude protein intake (g), TDN intake (kg) was found non-significant in both the groups, whereas dry matter intake and TDN intake (kg 100 kg- BW and g kg-1 W0.75) were significantly higher in control group. The crude protein intake (g 100 kg-1 BW) and DCP intake (g 100 kg-1 BW and g kg-1 W0.75) were significantly higher in Moringa supplemented group. The average ruminal pH, ammonical nitrogen (NH3-N) (mg dl-1), Non-protein nitrogen (NPN) (mg dl-1), soluble nitrogen (mg dl-1) and TCA precipitable nitrogen (mg dl-1) were found non-significant. However, the concentration of TVFA (mM dl-1) and total nitrogen (mg dl-1) were significantly higher in Moringa supplemented group. The daily feed cost was reduced by 8.93% in Moringa oleifera supplemented group but statistically the difference was found non-significant.

Effect of irrigation scheduling and nitrogen management on growth and development of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21 at Agronomy Farm, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat to assess the influence of irrigation scheduling and nitrogen management on crop growth and development of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern]. The experiment was planned using split-plot design where treatments replicated thrice. The main plots were allotted with 3 irrigation levels, viz. irrigation at 0.6 IW/CPE ratio (I1), irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio (I2) and irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE ratio (I3) and in sub-plots 5 nitrogen management treatments, viz. 100% RDN through chemical fertilizer (N1); 100% RDN through vermicompost (N2); 75% RDN through chemical fertilizer + 25% RDN through vermicompost (N3); 50% RDN through chemical fertilizer + 50% RDN through vermicompost (N4) and 25% RDN through chemical fertilizer + 50% RDN through vermicompost + Bio NPK Consortium @1.0 litre/ha (N5) were practised. The results showed that, growth traits of mustard, viz. height of plant, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rates, leaf area and leaf area index were significantly enhanced by scheduling irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio and application of 50% RDN through chemical fertilizer + 50% RDN through vermicompost among nitrogen management treatments. Hence, mustard growth and development can be significantly improved by application of irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio and 50% RDN through chemical fertilizer + 50% RDN through vermicompost.

Residual Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management to Preceding Maize on Yield of Succeeding Groundnut under Maize-groundnut Cropping Sequence

A field experiment was conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Anand Agricultural University, Dahod during the years 2020-21 and 2021-22 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management in maize-groundnut cropping sequence. The residual effect of INM treatment applied to preceding rabi maize crop was beneficial for increasing growth and yield attributing characters of succeeding summer groundnut crop viz., plant height and number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, pod yield and haulm yield per hectare as influenced by different treatments. The residual effect of combination of organic and inorganic to preceding rabi maize crop, application of 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through vermicompost + Bio NPK consortium (M5) produced significantly higher pod and haulm yields which was at par with 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through FYM + Bio NPK consortium in two years of pooled data. Among the levels of RDF, directly applied to summer groundnut, significantly higher yield attribute, pod and haulm yield was recorded with the application of 100% RDF (G1) which was at par with 75% RDF + Bio NP consortium (G2) in two years of pooled experiment data.

Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) are Influenced by Different Levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Biofertilizers

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (Kharif) seasons of 2013 to 2015 at Agriculture Research Station (Irrigation crops), Anand Agricultural University, Thasra.The farm is located in hot semi-arid eco-region with medium deep black soils and geographically situated at 22.400 latitude, 73.120 longitude and 32.4 m above the mean sea-level.To study the response of different levels of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Biofertilizers on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under middle Gujarat Agro climatic zone III, 12 treatment combinations consisting three levels of Nitrogen, two levels of Phosphorus and two levels of Biofertilizer were tried in factorial randomized block design with four replications. The three-year experimental results revealed that different treatments for nitrogen levels were found significant for most of the growth and yield contributing characters, while for phosphorus and bio-fertilizer found non-significant. In pooled data the N level N3 (120 kg N ha-1) gave significantly higher grain yield of 5508 kg ha-1and was found significantly superior over N level of 80 kg (N1 ). The result revealed that the potential production and profit from the rice crop could be secured by applying120 kg Nitrogen ha-1 only to get higher yield in middle Gujarat Agro climatic zone III.

Impact of Sulphur Nanoparticles on Growth and Biological Yield of Groundnut-Mustard Crop Sequence Under Sandy Loam Soils of Central Gujarat

In the present era of farming, the farmers were not using the secondary fertilizers for supplementing the sulphur nutrient and groundnut and mustard crops require the higher amount of sulphur. While, the traditional sulphur fertilizers have very low nutrient use utilization efficiency, moreover nano fertilizers have high nutrient use efficiency. So, the present experiment was conducted with using the different sources of sulphur. The existing experiment was conducted at Anand Agricultural university, Anand, in 2021-22 using completely randomized design with 11 treatments replication 4 times. The results reveal that the significantly higher plant height at 30 DAS was registered with the application of RDF + sulphur nanoparticles @ 4 mg S/kg (T10), than rest of the treatments. The significantly higher plant height, branches/plant and biological yield of groundnut-mustard cropping sequence was obtained with the fertigation of RDF + sulphur nanoparticles @ 3 mg S/kg soil, 50% at basal & 50% at 30 DAS (T9). It can be concluded that application of 3 mg S/kg soil, 50% at basal & 50% at 30 DAS can be an optimum dose of sulphur in pot experiment through fertigation under sulphur deficient soil.

Evaluation of Different Insecticides against Spotted Pod Borer, M. vitrata Infesting Vegetable Cowpea

A field experiment was conducted at Anand Agricultural University, Anand during kharif 2021 to assess the bio-efficacy various insecticides against spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata infesting vegetable cowpea of the nine evaluated insecticides chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC, emamectin benzoate 5% SG were found the most effective in reducing the incidence of M. vitrata. However, spinetoram 11.7% SC and spinosad 45% SC were found mediocre in their effectiveness. Maximum (76.33 q/ha) green cowpea pod yield was recorded from the plot treated with chlorantraniliprole which was at par with emamectin benzoate (75.50 q/ha). The highest ICBR returns were obtained in the treatment of emamectin benzoate (1: 11.48) followed by chlorantraniliprole (1: 8.67), spinetoram (1: 5.20) and spinosad (1: 4.92).