Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College Research Articles

Effective Media Validation, Benefits and Costs for Achieving High Yield in Ribbed Gourd in Soilless Culture under Matric Suction Irrigation

Aims: To standardize an appropriate method of finding suitable particulate organic substrates for composing soilless media, a soilless experiment was conducted in an open wasteland area in pandal system under matric suction irrigation Study Design: Completely Randomized Design Place and Duration of Study: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Trichy, Tamil Nadu during Rabi 2020-2021 Methodology: Three growing media were tested with ten replications. For composing the growing media equal proportion (on a weight basis) of substrates viz., coir pith, vermicompost, fly ash, green manure (Dhaincha), and sand were mixed in different combinations. Ribbed gourd CoH-1 was raised in growing media in containers that were interconnected by tubs and tubes to maintain moisture always by matric suction irrigation technique. Results: Growing media having Coir pith: Vermicompost: Green Manure: Sand registered the highest fruit yield (10.033 kg pot-1), water use efficiency (411.2 kg fresh fruit mm-1) and benefit-cost ratio (1.95) than that of the growing media combination with fly ash. This green manure combination significantly recorded 18% more yield and water use efficiency than that of the coir pith and vermicompost combination. Apparent nutrient recovery was highest in the growing media with coir pith: vermicompost: green manure: sand for N (22.42%), P (23.47%), and K (192.9%). Conclusion: Exploitation of the potentiality of particulate organic materials demonstrated in this soilless system technique may be useful for farmers to generate additional farm income with proper use of particulate organic substrates obtainable/ available in their farm.

Improving yield and water productivity of rice in sodic soil with saline water through drip irrigation

A field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli, to determine suitable rice varieties and lateral spacing for drip irrigation in sodic soil with saline water. The experiment involved four short duration rice varieties ('ADT 36', 'ADT 45', 'TRY (R) 2', and 'Anna (R) 4' ) and four pre-release rice cultures ('TR13-069', 'TR13-083', 'TR09-27', and 'TR09-30'). Drip systems were installed with lateral spacing of 45 cm and 90 cm, and emitter/dripper spacing of 30 cm. Drippers had a discharge rate of 2.0 liters per hour, and irrigation was scheduled at 100% pan evaporation rate, applied every alternate day. The variety, ''TRY (R) 2'' produced a greater number of panicles (365/m2) and a higher percentage of tillers to panicles conversion (77%) while ''ADT 36'' exhibited a higher number of filled grains (99.5/panicle) and total grains per panicle (117.4). With respect to yield, ''TRY (R) 2'' achieved the highest grain yield of 2991 kg/ha, followed by ''ADT 36'' and ''Anna (R) 4 ''. The drip lateral spacing of 90 cm exhibited significantly higher yield compared to a spacing of 45 cm. The varieties ''ADT 36'' and ''ADT 45'' utilized 550.3 mm of irrigation water and received 283.5 mm of rainfall, while ''Anna (R) 4 '' and ''TRY (R) 2'' used a total of 871.9 mm of water, including 575.2 mm of irrigation water and 296.7 mm of rainfall. Variety ''TRY (R) 2'' demonstrated a higher water productivity of 3.58 kg/ha/mm, followed by ''ADT 36''. Based on these findings, it is recommended to grow the ''TRY (R) 2'' rice variety under drip irrigation with a lateral spacing of 90 cm in sodic soil with saline water conditions, as it showed superior performance in terms of grain yield and water productivity.

Phytochemical profile of onion (Allium cepa) var. aggregatum: Comparative study of TNAU varieties with a local indigenous

Aggregatum onion (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum Don.) is widely grown and consumed in southern India. Present study was carried during 2020–23 at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu to map the metabolites and other dietary nutrients contributing to nutraceutical potentials between indigenous varieties and aggregatum onions varieties of Tamil Nadu. Experiment consisted of Co (On) 5 and Co (On) 6 (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University released varieties) and an indigenous variety from Perambalur (PL), Tamil Nadu. In the present study, metabolites of all the 3 varieties were mapped with the GCMS/MS, and the PL was shown to have high phytonutrients with health benefits. Further, in UHPLC, quercetin was identified with a sharp, well resolved symmetrical peak for all the three onion varieties with the retention time of 64.5, 65.5 and 64.5 min respectively. The Co (On) 6 is the improved variety of Co (On) 5 with a quercetin content of 75.05 ± 0.30 mg/kg, followed by PL (11.11 ± 0.51 mg/kg). However, the native cultivar PL (4.52 ± 0.15 mg/kg) has the highest anthocyanin content followed by Co (On) 6 (4.00 ± 0.10 mg/kg). This study therefore, provides preliminary information on metabolites and phenolics in the selected onion varieties of Tamil Nadu.

Drone based herbicide application in greengram (Vigna radiata)

An experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) season of 2023 at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu to assess the effect of drone based herbicide application in greengram. Results showed that drones could be effectively used for spraying of pre-emergence herbicide to control weeds and increase the yield of greengram. Further, application of pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha with spray fluid of 60 litre/ha precisely through drones controlled the weeds effectively (WCE of 81.8%), increased grain yield, saved herbicide dose and spray fluid to the tune of 6.9%, 25% and 88% respectively than manual spray of pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha with spray fluid of 500 litre/ ha. Thus, application of pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha with spray fluid of 60 litre/ha was considered as the optimum dosage and spray fluid for drone spray to control weeds, increase grain yield and profit in greengram, considering the reduced dose of herbicide as well as the labour scarce situation.

Screening of Soil Ameliorants to Enhance the Productivity of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.) under Sodic Soil in Cauvery Delta Zone of Tamil Nadu

Background: In India, about 6.75 million ha, which is around 2.3% of the country’s geographical area is salt affected of which 3.79 million ha is sodic soil. Total sodic soil area in Tamil Nadu is around 0.36 million ha, accounting for 9.5% of total sodic soil area in India. Reclamation of salt-affected soil using drainage is expensive and leaching with good quality water is uneconomical in shallow water table areas. Addition of organic amendments performs a dual role in these situations by enhancing gypsum solubility and improving soil physico-chemical characteristics. Methods: In this context a field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli during summer season of 2021 and 2022 to study the reclamation potential of ameliorants under sodic soil. The experiments were laid out in split plot design with three replications. The treatments comprised of different soil amendments in main plot and foliar nutrition in sub plot. Result: The results showed that, gypsum @ 50% GR+CSR GROMOR @ 25 kg ha-1 registered significantly higher growth parameters viz., plant height (53.5 and 58.4 cm), no. of branches plant-1 (7.27 and 6.75), DMP (2791 and 2801 kg ha-1), physiological characters viz.,CGR (4.12 and 4.46 g m-2 day-1), SPAD value (27.70 and 29.96), RWC (64.10 and 56.15%) and soluble protein (74.60 and 69.72 mg g-1) at harvest. It also increased grain yield of 834 and 875 kg ha-1 with higher exchangeable Ca and Mg with lower Na content during 2021 and 2022 year of experiments.

Effect of Drone Application of Pendimethalin on Microbial Population, Nodulation, Weed Control and Yield of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli, during Winter, 2023 to study the effect of pendimethalin application using drone on soil microbial population, nodulation, weed control and yield of green gram. The experiment was laid out in RBD with 12 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments consisted two levels of pendimethalin dosage (0.75 and 1.0 kg ha-1), five levels of spray fluids (40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 litres ha-1) for drone spray compared with manual spray of pendimethalin at 1.0 kg ha-1 with 500 litres ha-1 spray fluid and control. The results revealed that significantly higher microbial population such as bacteria (17.60 × 106 cfu/g of soil), fungi (14.90 × 103 cfu/g of soil), actinomycetes (42.60 × 104 cfu/g of soil) and rhizobium (21.30 × 105 cfu/g of soil) were recorded with no herbicide application (unweeded control) at 30 DAS than pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 application either manual or drone. The lower dose of pendimethalin 0.75 kg ha-1 with spray fluid of 60 litres ha-1 was on par with no herbicide application treatment. Significantly higher root nodules per plant-1 (17.56 and 22.51) at 30 and 45 DAS was registered under drone spray of pendimethalin 0.75 kg ha-1 with spray fluid of 60 litres ha-1. Higher weed control efficiency (72.6 %) and grain yield (747 kg ha-1) were statistically superior under drone spray of pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 with spray fluid of 60 litres ha-1 over 40 or 80 litres ha-1 spray fluids and was comparable with lower dose of pendimethalin (0.75 kg ha-1) with 60 litres ha-1. Thus, it can be inferred that pendimethalin at 0.75 kg ha-1 with spray fluid of 60 litres ha-1 was considered as ideal dose and spray fluid for drone application to get better soil microbial population, nodulation, weed control efficiency and grain yield of green gram.

Effect of Herbigation on Weed Control and Yield of Drip Irrigated Cotton

A field experiment was conducted during Summer, 2023 at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirappalli to study the effect of herbigation on weed control and yield of drip irrigated cotton. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of herbigation of pre emergence (PE) herbicides (Pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 and Oxyfluorfen 0.2 kg ha-1) combined with hand weeding at 45 DAS or manual spray or herbigation of post emergence (PoE) herbicide (Pyrithiobac Sodium + Quizalofop Ethyl 75 g ha-1 on 25 DAS) compared with recommended practice of manual spray of PE pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 + HW at 45 DAS, HW twice on 20 and 40 DAS and unweeded control. The results revealed that among the different weed management practices manual spray of PE pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 + HW at 45 DAS registered significantly lower total weed density (12.63 m-2), total weed dry weight (8.23 g m-2) and higher weed control efficiency (77%) at 20 DAS. This was followed by herbigation of PE pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 + manual spray of PoE pyrithiobac sodium + quizalofop ethyl 75 g ha-1 on 25 DAS. Among the herbigation treatments, herbigation of PE pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 + manual spray of PoE pyrithiobac sodium + quizalofop ethyl 75 g ha-1 on 25 DAS obtained lower total weed density (12.13 m-2), total weed dry weight (9.19 g m-2) and higher WCE (86%) at 40 DAS. This was followed by herbigation of PE oxyfluorfen 0.2 kg ha-1 + manual spray of PoE pyrithiobac sodium + quizalofop ethyl 75 g ha-1 on 25 DAS. At 60 DAS, application of manual spray of PE pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 + HW at 45 DAS recorded lower total weed density (18.07 m-2), total weed dry weight (16.03 g m-2) and higher weed control efficiency (85%). However, this was comparable with herbigation of PE pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 + manual spray of PoE pyrithiobac sodium + quizalofop ethyl 75 g ha-1 on 25 DAS and HW on 20 and 40 DAS. The highest seed cotton yield (2109 kg ha-1) was obtained with manual spray of PE pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 + HW at 45 DAS and it was on par with herbigation of PE pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 + manual spray of PoE pyrithiobac sodium + quizalofop ethyl 75 g ha-1 on 25 DAS and HW on 20 and 40 DAS. Hence, considering the labour scarcity, herbigation of PE pendimethalin1.0 kg ha-1 on 3 DAS followed by manual spray of PoE pyrithiobac sodium + quizalofop ethyl 75 g ha-1 on 25 DAS could be recommended for better weed control in drip irrigated cotton.

Influence of Spacing and Weed Management Practices on the Growth Characters, Nutrient Removal of Weeds and Nutrient Uptake of Direct Seeded Rice

Background: The field experiment was conducted at the Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu during rabi, 2022-2023 to study the influence of spacing and weed management practices on growth characters, nutrient removal by weeds and nutrient uptake of direct seeded rice (DSR). Methods: The field experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The main plots were spacing of 20 × 15 cm, 20 × 20 cm and 25 × 25 cm. Sub plots were assigned with weed management practices viz., pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE, Pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Cono weeding on 20 DAS + hand weeding (HW) on 40 DAS, Pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Cono weeding on 20 DAS and 40 DAS, Pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE + Cono weeding on 40 DAS, Pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE + Hand weeding on 40 DAS, Hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS and unweeded control. Result: The results indicated that the highest growth attributes, higher nutrient uptake of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium under DSR and were significantly improved by spacing 20 × 20 cm along with pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE + Cono weeding on 40 DAS. This was on par with pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE + Hand weeding on 40 DAS and hand weeding on 20 and 40 DAS. Similarly lower nutrient removal by weeds were registered under 20 × 15 cm spacing along with pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE + cono weeding on 40 DAS. The interaction of spacing 20 × 20 cm and pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE + Cono weeding on 40 DAS significantly increased the growth attributes such as plant height, dry matter production and total numbers of tillers and significantly lowered the nutrient removal by weeds.

Evaluation of Physiological and Biochemical Traits in Relation to Sodicity Tolerance in Selected Rice Genotypes under Different Sodicity Levels

Background: Soil sodicity is becoming a serious problem which is increasing every year has a negative impact the physical and nutritional qualities of the soil and plant which has an immense adverse effect on crop growth. Sodicity tolerance includes the manifestation of biochemical and physiological variations. Understanding these physiological and biochemical mechanism in rice is one of the biological solution for increasing the yield of crops through increased tolerance mechanism. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu to evaluate the performance of different rice varieties i.e., TRY 1, CO 43, TRY 2, CSR 27, TRY 3, white ponni (WP) with particular reference to Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) at various levels viz., ESP 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 and 48 and its impact on physiological and biochemical components. Plant samples were collected at flowering stage was analyzed for chlorophyll, sugars and proline content. Grain and straw yield of the crop was recorded. Result: The Chlorophyll and non-reducing sugars showed decreasing trend with increasing ESP levels but proline, reducing sugar and total sugar showed an increasing trend with increasing sodicity levels. The variation in biochemical and physiological components had significantly affected the growth and yield of rice crop. Among different rice varieties TRY 3 was found to be superior at increasing sodicity levels..

Interactive Effect of Elevated Carbon Dioxide, Temperature and Nitrogen on the Growth Parameters of Rice at Active Tillering Stage

Ever since industrialization began, carbon dioxide [CO2] concentration in the atmosphere got increased and it consecutively raised the temperature. This change in climate would affect the agricultural production and crop growth. A pot culture experiment was conducted during the Kuruvai season (June - September) of the year 2023 at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College & Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli to assess the rice growth up to active tillering stage under elevated [CO2] and temperature conditions at different doses of nitrogen (N) fertilization. Rice seedlings were grown inside the four Open Top Chambers (OTC) at ambient (422 ppm) and elevated CO2 (550 ppm) conditions as well as chamber controlled and elevated temperature (+2°C) with four different doses of N (control, 100% recommended dose of N (RDN), 150% RDN and 200% RDN). Plant growth parameters like plant height, number of tillers, leaf area, root length and root volume, root and shoot dry matter were increased significantly under elevated [CO2] (eCO2) conditions. Whereas, all the growth parameters were severely influenced by increased temperature. Increasing N concentration increased the plant growth irrespective of the treatments and the effect was more pronounced in eCO2 treatment due to the fertilization effect of [CO2] as it directly necessitates photosynthesis which improves overall growth of rice plants. Under the future changing climatic conditions suitable N doses should be optimized for the better crop production.

Effect of spacing and weed management practices on yield parameters and yield of direct-seeded rice

Background: Field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Thiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu during the rabi season of 2022-23 to evaluate the effect of spacing and weed management practices of yield parameters and yield of direct seeded rice under sodic soil using three levels of spacing and seven weed management strategies. Methods: The main plots were spacing of 20 x 15 cm, 20 x 20 cm, and 25 x 25 cm. Sub plot consisted of weed management practices in direct seeded rice viz., PE pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS + PoE bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS, PE pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS + cono weeding on 20 DAS + hand weeding (HW) on 40 DAS, PE pyrazosulfuron Ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS + cono weeding on 20 DAS and 40 DAS, PE pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS + PoE bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS + cono weeding on 40 DAS, PE pyrazosulfuron Ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS + PoEbispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS + HW on 40 DAS, Hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, and unweeded control. The field experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Results: The results indicated that lower total weed density (40.39 no. m-2), dry weight of weeds (85.52 g m-2) and higher WCE (77.5%) were registered under 20 × 15 cm which was on par with spacing of 20 × 20 cm. The higher number of productive tillers m-2 (389), number of grains panicle-1 (192), number filled grains panicle-1 (187), grain yield (4546 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6714 kg ha-1) were observed under spacing of 20 × 20 cm. Application of pyrazosulfuron ethyl 20 g ha-1 at 3 DAS + bispyribac sodium 25 g ha-1 at 20 DAS + cono weeding at 40 DAS possessed the lowest total weed density (7.67 no. m-2), dry weight of weeds (12.63 g m-2), higher WCE (97.0) at 45 DAS and significantly improved the yield parameters and yields compared to unweeded control. The highest grain and straw yields were recorded from interaction between 20 × 20 cm and pyrazosulfuron ethyl 20 g ha-1 at 3 DAS + bispyribac sodium 25 g ha-1 at 20 DAS + cono weeding at 40 DAS.

Affected of Ameliorated Alkaline Water and Soil Amendments on Exchangeable Cation, Macro and Micronutrients in Sodic Soil under Drip Irrigation

The Field experiment was carried out at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli using cotton (RCH- 20) as a test crop to examine the effect of ameliorated alkali water and soil amendments on soil properties, growth, and yield of hybrid cotton in sodic soil under drip irrigation. In this experiment, Drip irrigation with gypsum treatment water and drip irrigation with spent wash treatment water were used as main-plots treatments. Soil application of gypsum @ 50 % GR (5.2 t ha-1) and one time soil application of distillery spent wash @ 5 lakh litter ha-1 were imposed as sub-plot treatments. The treatment without amendments both under main plot and sub plots were used as control. The experiment was carried out using a strip-plot design with four replications. The application of additives through irrigation water (or) soil considerably decreased the pH of post-harvest soil. The soil exchangeable Ca and Mg were found significant due to soil application of amendments only and value ranged from 8.51 to 9.35 and 5.03 to 5.20 Cmol (p+) kg -1 respectively. The soil available nutrients N, P and K were found significant, and value range from 167 to 311, 15.4 to 21.5, 158 to 928 kg ha-1 respectively. The application distillery spent wash (DSW) and gypsum slightly increased the micronutrient cations range which from 4.80 to 6.85 mg kg-1 of Fe, 8.60 to 10.43 mg kg-1 of Mn, 0.64 to 0.88 of mg kg-1 of Zn, 1.10 to 1.42 mg kg-1 of Cu. The results of the field experiment revealed that application of amended alkali water and amended soil significantly increased all the growth and yield parameters of cotton. An increase in seed cotton yield of 701 and 544 kg ha-1 was recorded due to the application of gypsum treated water and DSW treated water respectively over control. Similarly, an increase of 773 and 973 kg ha-1 of seed cotton yield was recorded due to soil application of gypsum and DSW respectively over control. While considering the interaction effect, soil application of DSW along with gypsum bed treated water found to be the best for getting higher seed cotton yield (3015 kg ha-1) when compared to other treatment combination.

Effect of Different Levels of Sodicity on Soil Enzymes, Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon and Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes in Different Rice Varieties under Semi-arid Conditions

Background: Soil sodicity is a major abiotic stress for crop production in many parts of the world. Soil enzymes have been proposed as potential indicators of soil quality due to their connection to soil biology, ease of measurement and quick responsiveness to changes in soil management. Concerning that how different levels of sodicity affects the activity of soil enzymes, soil MBC and antioxidant enzymes in different rice varieties will promote us to understand the mechanism behind the tolerant varieties and to find out the ways to improve the tolerance mechanism. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu during late samba season. Different rice varieties viz., TRY 1, CO 43, TRY 2, CSR 27, TRY 3 and white ponni (WP) were grown at different levels of Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) ie., 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 and 48 under field condition. The soil samples were collected at flowering stage and analyzed for urease, alkaline phosphatase (APH), dehydrogenase (DHG) and soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC). The plant samples collected at flowering stage were examined for activity of antioxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Result: The growth and yield decreases with increasing sodicity levels. The soil enzyme and microbial biomass carbon found to be decreased with increasing ESP levels. The antioxidant enzyme increases with increase in sodicity levels in tolerant varieties and decreases at high ESP levels in susceptible varieties. Overall TRY 3 outperformed under increasing sodicity levels compared to other varieties.

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Sodic Soil-grown Barnyard Millet (Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb.) Link) Germplasm

Aims: Barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) is a significant tiny millet crop characterized by because of its high nutritional value, exceptional ability to withstand extremes of climate, and short duration. Globally, the area under salt affected soil is expanding. Therefore, genetic diversity analysis was conducted to identify genetically diverse genotypes for yield improvement under sodic condition.
 Study Design: Randomised block design.
 Place and Duration of Study: An experiment was carried under sodic soil condition at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Trichy, Tamil Nadu.
 Methodology: Ninety two genotypes of barnyard millet, including two commercial check varieties, MDU1 and CO (KV) 2. Plant height (cm), inflorescence length (cm), inflorescence width (cm), lower raceme length (cm), flag leaf length (cm), flag leaf width (cm), number of leaves on main tiller, number of productive tillers per plant, and grain yield per plant (g) were the nine quantitative traits that were recorded. GENRES software version 3.11 was used for analysing the data.
 Results: For all of the analysed attributes, the genotypes showed significant differences based on the analysis of variance. Ninety two genotypes were divided into nine groups according to nine quantitative features using Mahalanobis D2-Statistics. Cluster II was the one with the greatest number with 25 genotypes, followed by cluster V with 22 genotypes, Cluster VI with 17 genotypes, Cluster IV with 11 genotypes, Cluster I with 8 genotypes, Cluster VIII with 4 genotypes, Cluster III and VII with only 2 genotypes per cluster, and Cluster IX with just 1 genotype. Cluster IV was second in terms of intra-cluster distance, after Cluster VIII. The largest inter-cluster distance was observed between clusters I (TNAUF01000021 - EF 37, TNAUF01000022 - EF 38, TNAUF01000022 - EF 39, etc.) and IX (MDU1).
 Conclusion: Choosing these genotypes as parents from genetically diverse clusters for breeding programmes might produce heterotic hybrids that produce enough genetic diversity in barnyard millet genotypes under sodic soil conditions.

Assessing growth performance and agro-meteorological indices of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) varieties influenced by soil amendments and foliar application under sodic soil in Cauvery delta zone of Tamil Nadu

Green gram prefers neutral soil reactions and is sensitive to saline and alkaline soil conditions. Around 2.1 % of the country's geographical area is salt-affected, of which 3.77 million ha is sodic soil. Rehabilitation of salt-affected soil using drainage is expensive and leaching with good quality water is not feasible. To overcome this, a field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli, during summer 2022 to study the effect of soil amendments and foliar nutrition under sodic soil. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. The treatments comprised of different varieties in main plots (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 and M6) and different soil amendments with foliar application in sub plots (S1, S2 and S3). The results showed that VBN (Gg) 4 + gypsum @ 50 % GR + pressmud @ 10 t ha-1 + FS of brassinosteroid 0.2 ppm (M4S1) registered higher plant height (18.31, 31.52 & 60.63 cm), DMP (907, 1932 & 2969 kg ha-1), CGR (3.02, 6.83 & 4.15 g m-2 d-1) and SPAD value (37.56, 41.62 & 30.57) at 30, 45 DAS and harvest. The same treatments increased grain and haulm yield of 997 and 2232 kg ha-1. It also increased all agro-meteorological indices viz., GDD, HTU, PTU, RTD and HUE of green gram. However, comparable results were obtained with VBN (Gg) 4 + gypsum @ 50 % GR + CSR GROMOR @ 25 kg ha-1 + FS of brassinosteroid 0.2 ppm (M4S2).

Physiological Parameters and Yield of Green Gram As Influenced By Weed Management Practices

A field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli during Summer, 2021 to evaluate the weed management practices in green gram. The study comprised of eleven weed management practices with different combination viz., pre emergence (PE) application of Diclosulam at 17.5 g/ha, Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr 1 kg/ha, post emergence (POE) application of Fluazifop-p-butyl + Fomesafen 313 g/ha, Acifluorfen sodium + Clodinofop propargyl 187.5 g/ha, PE Diclosulam 17.5 g/ha fb POE Fluazifop-p-butyl + Fomesafen 313 g/ha , PE Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr 1 kg/ha fb POE Fluazifop-p-butyl + Fomesafen 313 g/ha, PE Diclosulam 17.5 g/ha fb POE Acifluorfen sodium + Clodinofop propargyl 187.5 g/ha, PE Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr 1 kg/ha fb POE Acifluorfen sodium + Clodinofop propargyl 187.5 g/ha, PE Pendimethalin1 kg/ha fb HW on 30 DAS, HW on 20 and 40 DAS and unweeded control (UWC) in green gram. The results revealed that the highest plant height, number of branches plant-1, DMP, LAI, CGR, RGR and NAR were registered in PE Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr at 1 kg ha-1 fb POE Fluazifop-p-butyl + Fomesafen at 313 g ha-1. The grain and haulm yields were also higher in PE Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr at 1 kg ha-1 fb POE Fluazifop-p-butyl + Fomesafen at 313 g ha-1 and it was on par with PE Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr at 1 kg ha-1 fb POE Acifluorfen sodium + Clodinofop propargyl at 187.5 g ha-1. Hence, application of PE Pendimethalin + Imazethapyr at 1 kg ha-1 fb POE Fluazifop-p-butyl + Fomesafen at 313 g ha-1 was found to be the most viable option for getting higher growth and yield in green gram.

Correlation of soil physico chemical properties with a yield of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) by soil amendments and foliar nutrition under sodic soil condition

In India, about 3.77 million ha of the country's geographical area is affected by sodicity. There is an urgent need to minimize further land degradation and restore the fertility of degraded soils to meet the growing demand for food. The most effective way to overcome salt stress is by applying nutrients through soil and foliar. In this context, a field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute (ADAC & RI), Tiruchirappalli, in the summer of 2022 to study the reclamation potential of soil amendments and foliar nutrition in sodic soil. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. The treatment comprised of soil amendments viz., M1- Pongamia green leaf manure (GLM) @ 6.25 t ha-1, M2- Pressmud @ 10 t ha-1, M3-CSR GROMOR @ 25 kg ha-1, M4-Gypsum @ 50 % GR, M5-Gypsum @ 50 % gypsum requirement (GR) + Pongamia GLM @ 6.25 t ha-1, M6-Gypsum @ 50 % GR + Pressmud @ 10 t ha-1, M7-Gypsum @ 50 % GR + CSR GROMOR @ 25 kg ha-1 and M8- Farmers practice, in main plots and foliar nutrition viz., S1- Foliar spray (FS) of CSR GROMOR @ 3% @ 30 DAS, S2-FS of Brassinosteroid (BRs) 0.2 ppm @ 30 DAS and S3-FS of Melatonin 60 ppm @ 30 DAS in sub plots. The results showed that gypsum @ 50 % GR + Pressmud @ 10 t ha-1+ FS of Brassinosteroid 0.2 ppm @ 30 DAS(M6S2) registered significantly (P=0.05%) lowest pH (8.07), ESP (11.62%), exchangeable Na+ (2.93 c mol (p+) kg-1) with higher exchangeable Ca2+(11.23 c mol (p+) kg-1), Mg2+ (8.09 c mol (p+) kg-1) and K+(0.82 c mol (p+) kg-1). It also increased soil available nutrients (235.6, 24.57 & 309.6 kg NPK ha-1) and grain yield (1110 kg ha-1) of green gram. However, it was on par with gypsum @ 50 % GR + CSR GROMOR @ 25 kg ha-1 + FS of Brassinosteroid 0.2 ppm @ 30 DAS(M7S2). Hence it was concluded that the application of gypsum along with pressmud or CSR GROMOR combined with FS of brassinostroid had a remarkable effect in reducing soil sodicity and increasing the productivity of green gram.

Influence of Nutrient Management on Growth, Lodging and Yield of Transplanted Rice

Aim: To study the Influence of nutrient management on growth, lodging and yield of transplanted rice.
 Study Design: The study comprised of eight treatments viz.,T1- 100% NPK, T2- 100% NP + 125% K, T3- 75% N + 100% PK, T4- 75% N + 100% P + 125% K, T5- 100% NPK + K2SiO4 at 50 kg ha­-1, T6- 100% NPK + Ca2SiO4 at 50 kg ha­-1, T7- 100% NPK + Na2SiO3 at 50 kg ha­-1 and T8- absolute control in randomized block design.
 Place and Duration of Study: This research trail was conducted during the late samba (September – February) of 2021-22 at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute. TNAU, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India.
 Methodology: The study consisted of combination of 8 treatments in RBD which was replicated thrice. The rice variety of IW Ponni was used for this study. The observation have been recorded during the different phases of growth at regular intervals.
 Results: The results revealed that the application of 100% NPK + K2SiO4 at 50 kg ha­-1 has recorded significantly taller plant height (131.7 cm), higher dry matter production (11360 kgha­-1), grain (4535 kg ha-1) and straw yield (7259 kg ha-1) over absolute control. Minimum bending moment and lodging score were reported with 100% NPK + K2SiO4 at 50 kg ha­-1 and it was on par with 100% NPK + Ca2SiO4 at 50 kg ha­-1.

Response of transplanted finger millet to weed management practices under sodic soil condition

Weeds are the major biotic constraints in finger millet production and account for 41 to 63% yield loss. Weed management through herbicides plays a major role in increasing productivity. The field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirapalli during Kharif, 2018, to evaluate the weed management practices on the growth and yield of transplanted finger millet under sodic soil conditions. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications. The treatment comprised weed management practices with different herbicides and their combinations. The results revealed that the highest plant height, total number of tillers/m2, dry matter production, leaf area index and crop growth rate were registered in PE application of bensulfuron methyl at 60 g/ha + pretilachlor at 600 g/ha fb EPOE application of bispyribac sodium at 25 g/ha. The highest grain and straw yield was also registered in PE application of bensulfuron methyl at 60 g/ha + pretilachlor at 600 g/ha fb EPOE application of bispyribac sodium at 25 g/ha, and it was on par with hand weeding at 15 and 30 DAT. Hence, in transplanted finger millet under sodic soil, the application of PE bensulfuron methyl at 60 g ha-1 + pretilachlor at 600 g ha-1 fb EPOE bispyribac sodium at 25 g ha-1 was found to be the most viable option for effective weed control besides increased productivity and profitability.

Changes in Teak Germination and Seedling Growth Induced by Pre-Sowing Seed Treatment with Electromagnetic Field and Microwave Radiation

Aims: The effect of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f) drupes treatment with electromagnetic field and microwave radiation on germination and seedling growth were studied.
 Study Design: Completely randomized block design.
 Place and Duration of Study: Division of Seed Science and Technology, Central Institute for Cotton Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and Seed Science and Technology laboratory, Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.
 Methodology: Teak drupes have been exposed to the electromagnetic field of 750nt 5 hrs. per day for 15 days, 1500nt 5 hrs. per day for 15 days and 750 + 1500nt each 5 hrs. per day for 15 days and microwave radiation of 2450 MHz for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 sec. The treated and control drupes were placed for germination in the sand filled earthen pots.
 Results: At 28 days after sowing the results revealed that electromagnetic treatment 1500nt 5 hrs. per day for 15 days recorded highest germination of 28.4 %, number of seedlings/100 drupes (32), minimum days required for initial emergence (13 days), root length of 8.3 cm, shoot length of 7.1 cm, dry matter production (49 mg) and vigour index (437). Microwave radiation of 2450 MHz for 30 sec recorded highest germination of 25.2 %, number of seedlings/100 drupes (30), minimum days required for initial emergence (12 days), root length of 8.5 cm, dry matter production (47 mg) and vigour index (373).
 Conclusion: It is concluded that, electromagnetic field and microwave radiation treatments may be considered as an alternative method to enhance germination of fresh teak drupes.