Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya Research Articles

Implications of Ripening Inhibiting Mutant Gene (RIN) in Different Quantitative and Qualitative Characters of Tomato

A study was conducted comprising of four widely divergent genetic materials of tomato viz. BCT- 111 rin possessing specific mutant genes and CLN B, Patharkutchi, BCT-53 are normal lines without possessing specific genes in Central Research Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India during autumn-winter (2018‒19 to 2019‒20) aimed to evaluate genotype level variation due to rin gene in both homozygous and heterozygous condition for different characters. Three hybrids viz. BCT-111 rin×CLN B, BCT-111 rin×Patharkuchi, BCT-111 rin×BCT-53 were developed involving BCT-111 rin and normal 3 genotypes. The seven genotypes including the parental lines and hybrids exhibited wide range of variations in different traits namely, plant height (84.59‒106.94 cm), number of days to first flowering after transplanting (25.7‒41.26), number of flower clusters plant-1 (18.21‒25.69), number of flowers cluster-1 (5.73‒8.48), number of fruits plant-1 (49.22‒76.02), fruit weight (37.89‒97.50 g), equatorial diameter (24.71‒52.60 mm), polar diameter (26.00‒47.81 mm), locule number fruit-1 (2.48‒3.96), pericarp thickness (4.94‒6.84), fruit yield plant-1 (2.93‒4.07 kg), total soluble solids (3.95‒6.21° brix), total sugar content (1.43‒3.47%), reducing sugar (1.21%‒2.58%), titratable acidity (0.36%‒0.64%), ascorbic acid content (25.66‒34.76 mg 100 g-1 fresh weight), lycopene content (0.38‒4.16 mg 100 g-1 fresh weight) and β-carotene (0.24‒0.60 µg 100 g-1 fresh weight). In the genotype possessing the ripening inhibitor rin gene in homozygous condition, fruit did not ripe and lycopene biosynthesis was severely reduced. However, in heterozygous condition, lycopene biosynthesis was almost normal which amply justified the possibility of utilizing the genotype possessing ripening inhibitor rin gene for development of commercial hybrids of tomato.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Nodulation, Yield, Quality, Energetics and Economics of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill.] Varieties in Eastern India

Background: The oilseed crop soybean has the potential to bridge the demand-supply gap of edible oil. Varietal adaptation to environment and agronomic interventions like integrated nutrient management (INM) are hypothesized to elevate the yield, quality and save energy in soybean, assuring environmental safety. Methods: The experiment was conducted in three times replicated factorial randomized block design (RBD) with 3 varieties and 5 INM options at Instructional Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal during kharif season of 2019 and 2020. Result: Comparatively greater nodules/plant (51.21) and dry weight of nodules (0.51 g), pods/plant (34.04), 100-seeds weight (15.24 g), yield (2601 kg/ha), protein (41.42%) and economic profitability (B:C- 2.32) were observed from PS 24 grown under 75% RDF + 1.5t/ha vermicompost + 25 kg/ha ZnSO4. Energy budgeting further indicated that soybean cultivation mostly consumed energy from indirect non-renewable sources and PS 24 grown under that INM option generated highest energy outcome (112679.3 MJ/ha) in Eastern Indian condition.

Effect of Different Natural Products Against Leaf Blight Diseases of Maize

This experiment was conducted during kharif seasons (June to September) of 2016 and 2017 at District Seed Farm, Kalyani Simanta of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India. The objective of the study was to find out the performance of natural products against maydis leaf blight of maize under artificial epiphytotic condition. The eleven natural products were namely; Neem leaves, Karanj leaf, Milkweed / Calotropis leaf, Datura leaf, Parthenium leaf, leaves of Umbelanterna / Lantana camara, leaves of False Ashoka, leaves of tulsi, bulb of garlic, cow urine and Hexaconazole as standard check. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 12 treatments with three replications. The extracts of Plant products at 10% concentrations were then applied by spraying to plants in the field just after 24 h of inoculation. 2nd inoculation was done seven days after first inoculation. Severity was calculated for each replication of each treatment by using the Percent Disease Index (PDI). Allium sativum (garlic) bulb @ 10% resulted lowest Percent Disease Index i.e. 28.4% against the Maydis leaf blight and 25.8% against Turcicum leaf blight of maize with the concurrent 61.13% and 65.08% control of diseases. Cow urine @ 50% resulted 29.8% and 28.6% PDI which was statistically equally effective with Allium sativum (garlic) bulb @ 10%. Likewise, this Allium sativum (garlic) bulb @ 10% also produced highest yield (2910 kg ha-1) which was 34 higher than the chemical, Hexaconazol used for these diseases.

Nutrient management of spring-summer blackgram (Vigna mungo) with cobalt, potassium and boron under different dates of sowing in Eastern India

A field experiment was conducted at the Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, during spring-summer seasons of 2020 and 2021, to study the effect of Co, K, B and date of sowing on blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]. The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design, comprising 2 sowing dates in March with 15 days interval in main plot, 2 levels of soil application of Co at 4 kg/ha in subplots and 5 levels of foliar spray of 1.25% K and 0.2% B in sub-subplots. Pooled analysis of 2 years indicated that, the crop sown in March first week showed significantly higher (P>0.05) dry-matter (236.5 g/m2 ), pods/plant (33.8), seed yield (1.3 t/ha) and protein content (23.2%) with a longer crop duration over the crop sown in March third week. Soil Co application and foliar K + B spray separately recorded higher seed yield (1.3 and 1.5 t/ha) and protein content (23.4 and 25.6%) respectively. Sowing of blackgram in the March first week with soil Co and foliar K + B application could improve its production potential in Gangetic plains of Eastern India.

Effect of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on growth, yield and economics of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa) in Gangetic delta of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted at the Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Jaguli, Nadia, West Bengal, during rainy season (kharif) 2019, to study the effect of different nutrient sources on growth, yield and economics of scented rice (Oryza sativa L.). Among 9 treatments, integrated nutrient management (FYM 4 t + N20P10K10 kg/ha) led to the maximum tiller production (345.4 /m2 ) at 56 days after transplanting (DAT), the highest leaf-area index (LAI) (2.90) and dry-matter production (596.2 g/m2 ) at 84 DAT. Chemical fertilizer-based nutrition (N40P20K20 kg/ha) resulted in the maximum plant height (125.0 cm) at harvesting and grain yield (2.57 t/ha), being at par with FYM 4 t + N20P10K10 kg/ha (2.53 t/ha). Plants in LCC-based N-fertilized plots had moderate grain yield (2.18 t/ha) and least lodging tendency (score 2.3). Chemical fertilizer-based nutrition could record the maximum yield (2.57 t/ha), net income (`42,126/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.02); but integrated nutrient management (FYM 4 t + N20P10K10 kg/ha) might be an alternative option for sustainable cultivation (2.53 t/ha, `38,069.50/ha and 1.86) in lower Gangetic plains of West Bengal.

Modelling nitrogen management in hybrid rice for coastal ecosystem of West Bengal, India.

Hybrid rice requires adequate nitrogen (N) management in order to achieve good yields from its vegetative and reproductive development. With this backdrop, a field experiment was conducted at Regional Research Station (Coastal Saline Zone), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kakdwip, West Bengal (India) to record growth and yield performance of hybrid rice (cv. PAN 2423) under varied N-fertilizer doses. A modelling approach was adopted for the first time in hybrid rice production system under coastal ecosystem of West Bengal (India). In the present study, the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model was calibrated and validated for simulating a hybrid rice production system with different N rates. The APSIM based crop simulation model was found to capture the physiological changes of hybrid rice under varied N rates effectively. While studying the relationship between simulated and observed yield data, we observed that the equations developed by APSIM were significant with higher R2 values (≥0.812). However, APSIM caused an over-estimation for calibrate data but it was rectified for validated data. The RMSE of models for all the cases was less than respective SD values and the normalized RMSE values were ≤20%. Hence, it was proved to be a good rationalized modelling and the performance of APSIM was robust. On the contrary, APSIM underestimated the calibrated amount of N (kg ha-1) in storage organ of hybrid rice, which was later rectified in case of validated data. A strong correlation existed between the observed and APSIM-simulated amounts of N in storage organ of hybrid rice (R2 = 0.94** and 0.96** for the calibration and validation data sets, respectively), which indicates the robustness of the APSIM simulation study. Scenario analysis also suggests that the optimal N rate will increase from 160 to 200 kg N ha-1 for the greatest hybrid rice production in coming years under elevated CO2 levels in the atmosphere. The APSIM-Oryza crop model had successfully predicted the variation in aboveground biomass and grain yield of hybrid rice under different climatic conditions.

Evaluation of compatibility of native plant growth promoting rhizobacterial isolates against chemical pesticides

Conventional agriculture relies heavily on chemical fertilizers, pesticides and weedicides to control plant diseases, pests and weeds to improve production. Consequently, the soil receives the bulk of complex agrochemical compounds many of which are poisonous to the activity of non-target beneficial soil microorganisms. There is a need to check the tolerance of biocontrol agents like Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacterial (PGPR) to various pesticides before their practical application. Taking this into account, the investigation was conducted for the screening of the PGPR isolates against chemical pesticide degradation potentialities in Plant Bacteriological Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal during 2021-22. All the native rhizobacterial, Bacillus and Fluorescent pseudomonad isolates tested had good potentiality to tolerate Carbendazim and Glyphosate. Among native Bacillus isolates, BRB89, BRB42, PR 19, PR 20, BRB 52, BRB 56, BRB 74, and SM 9 showed moderate tolerance, whereas among all the native Fluorescent pseudomonads, all except GP2 showed high tolerance against Paraquat. All native Bacillus isolates except PR16 were highly sensitive against Chorpyriphos. However, all the native fluorescent pseudomonads showed tolerance against Chorpyriphos even at 2000 ppm concentration.

Modeling The Uptake Of Cationic Micronutrients And Rice Grain Yield At Different Graded Dose Of Nitrogen Fertilization

The current study has been directed to find out a relationship whether such graded doses of nitrogen fertilizer can influence the pattern of micronutrient uptake and yield of the rice plant. The field experiment was carried out during the boro season of 2022 at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Nadia. The experiment was designed in a thrice replicated Randomized blocks with nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha-1). A statistical analysis was carried out through Correlation- Regression studies which analyzed the relationship between nitrogen application and micronutrient uptake by rice. Correlation study of N uptake under graded doses of fertilizer application with the uptake of micronutrients followed the pattern Zn (r=0.985**)>Fe (r=0.962**)>Cu (0.953**)>Mn (r=0.947**) and Zn (r=0.980**)>Mn (r=0.948**)>Cu (0.944**)>Fe (r=0.939**) for rice grains and straw at harvest, respectively. The correlation of yield with grain N, straw N and N at maximum tillering stage also revealed a positive value. The Linear Regression (LR) models confirmed that incremental doses of N have a significant association with the uptakes of micronutrients. Thus, judicious management of N fertilizer can be a viable non-traditional approach for micronutrient nutrition in rice.

A Study On Bio Efficacy Of Cyantraniliprole 10.6% OD Against Major Sucking Pests Of Watermelon

Cyantraniliprole, 10.6% OD, was evaluated in the field against major sucking pests of watermelon at Jaguli Instructional Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV) during 2020-21. The study took place during the kharif season, and the watermelon variety named ‘Krishna’ was selected and grown with proper agronomic practices. A total of three sprays were done starting from the ETL of the pest population. The spraying was done at ten days intervals with four different doses of Cyantraniliprole, 10.6% OD along with Imidacloprid 17.8% SL @ 100 g a.i./ha, Spinosad 45% SC @ 73 g a.i./ha (standard checks) and an untreated control. All the treatment is arranged in randomized block design with three replications, each consisting of seven treatments. The results revealed that treatments cyantraniliprole 10.6% OD @ 120 g a.i/ha and 90 g a.i/ha were substantially more potent with regard to its efficacy on the basis of three sprays, compared to untreated control.

Studies On Flowering, Fruiting And Yield Attributes Of SomeMango Cultivars

The experiment was carried out to study on flowering, fruiting and yield attributes of some mango cultivars at the Regional Research Station, Gayeshpur, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal, from January 2021 to June 2022. The present study was carried out on twelve important mango cultivars namely, Golapkhas, Himsagar, Mallika, Dashehari, Amrapali, Chausa, Bombai, Alphanso, Kishanbhog, Langra, Safder Pasand and Rani Pasand available at the experimental orchard of the Regional Research Station, Gayeshpur, B.C.K.V. Nadia. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design (RBD) with three replications. Outcome of the present research wok revealed that the earliest bud bursting was noticed in Golapkhas, Rani Pasand and Kishanbhog, whereas early panicle emergence with long duration was in Golapkhas and Rani Pasand. A huge variation was observed in morphology of inflorescence among the studied cultivars of mango. The variation also observed in inflorescence position (terminal, both axillary and terminal) and inflorescence colour (yellowish green, pink, green with red patches and green) among the mango cultivars. In most of the cultivars, position of inflorescence was terminal except Amrapali and Langra where it was both terminal and axillary position. Higher per centage of hermaphrodite flowers (>25%) with lesser sex ratio (<4:1) was recorded significantly in Kishanbhog and Golapkhas. The highest fruit set was noticed in Langra (32.31%) and lowest fruit set was recorded in Himsagar (14.80%). The highest fruit drop (99.58%) was observed in Kishanbhog followed by Alphanso (99.55 %) whereas lowest (99.10%) in Himsagar. Number of fruits per plant and yield per hectare were found higher in Amrapali, Chausa and Himsagar. Considering early bud emergence, early flower opening as well as early maturity of fruit, Golapkhas and Rani Pasand are best for West Bengal. On the other hand, considering late bud emergence, late flower opening and late maturity of fruit Chausa is best. Considering the number of fruits per plant and yield per plant, Amrapali, Mallika, Himsagar and Chausa may beuseful for commercial cultivation especially in Nadia region as well as West Bengal.

Evaluation of the compatibility between native rhizobacteria isolates

Compatibility between the Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) microbes to colonize the root system without inhibiting each other is a pre-requisite for successful benefit of using multiple microbes in a crop field. Taking this into account, the present investigation was conducted to test the compatibility between different native rhizobacterial isolates in-vitro in the Plant Bacteriological Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal during 2021- 22. All the efficient and native rhizobacterial isolates tested were compatible with each other under in-vitro conditions except BRB 88 and BRB 89, BRB 35, BRB 42, BRB 52, PR 19; BRB 89 and BRB 35, SM 9, SM 14; BRB 35 and PR 19; BRB 42 and PR 18; BRB 52 and SM 9; CK2LPP and CK2LP12, GP2, GP8, G11SP37, K11SP4, SS2LP; CK2LP12 and GP2; GP8 and K11SP4; SS2PLP and SS2PP; GP2 and G1SP37, SS2PP; G11SP37 and K11SP4; SS2PP and S21SP14; BRB 88 and CK2LPP, GP2; PR 16 and SS2PP, S21SP14; PR 20 and GP8; BRB 52 and CK2LPP, CK2LP8, GP2, GP8; BRB 56 and GP2, GP8; SM 9 and CK2LPP, CK2LP8, CK2LP12, G11SP37.

Morpho-Physicochemical Studies Of Kusum (Schleichera Oleosa (Lour.) Oken): A Potential Multipurpose Tree Species

Kusum (Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken) belongs to Sapindaceae family, is an underutilised multipurpose tree species. Kusum is also known as a lac tree through its cultivation for lac which gives livelihood security to lakhs of farmers. Botanically, kusum fruits are single-seeded and sometimes two-seeded berry, succulent yellow aril, dry indehiscent, apex pointed, hard-crustaceous, smooth, or slightly spiny. Pulp of kusum has a potential source of antioxidant properties. The present investigation was carried out to estimate physical and chemical properties of kusum at the laboratory of department of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal during 2021-22. A set of 30 fruits with 10 fruits per replication were taken for this experiment. It was observed that average fruit weight (7.41g), fruit length (2.5cm), diameter (2.19cm), fruit volume (7ml), fruit pulp weight (2.93g), seed weight (1.35g), and peel weight (2.71g), seed length (1.69cm), diameter (1.38cm) and edible fruit percentage was 39.54%. The results showed that it contains an average of 20.07 °Brix total soluble solids, 0.33% titrable acidity, 14.28% total sugar, 8% reducing sugar, 5.96 non-reducing sugar, 142.5 mg/100g of pulp ascorbic acid and total carotenoid 1.35 mg/100g pulp. The result shows that kusum fruit is a promising food source with nutritional value. This fruit could fulfil the dietary needs of persons living in rural areas.

Influence Of Varietal Duration And Nitrogen Fertilization In Augmenting Micronutrient Uptake And Yield Of Rice

Lack of micronutrients in diet lead to health anomalies in human, to solve which diet-based availability can be looked upon. The goal of the current research is to ascertain how micronutrient uptake and yield of boro rice are influenced by the duration of the variety and graded doses of nitrogen fertilization. The field trial was conducted in the boro season of 2022 at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Gayeshpur, Nadia in a thrice replicated split plots with nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha-1) in main plot and varieties (short duration-Satabdi, medium duration-Pratikshya and long duration-Swarna masuri) in sub-plots. At both maximum tillering and harvest stage, increase in nitrogen fertilization levels significantly increased the uptake of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn and biomass yield significantly. However, while Fe and Mn concentrations were highest for N application at 150 kg ha-1, N application at 100 and 150 kg ha-1 statistically registered at par Zn and Cu values. Varietal influence on grain and straw yield as well as micronutrient uptake in harvest may be linked to their life cycle pattern where Partikshya considerably outperformed short duration Satabdi variety. Worst performance of Swarna Masuri variety may possibly be attributed to the inherent varietal characteristics and exposure to terminal moisture and heat stress at the months of May and June. Judicious management of nitrogen fertilizer may be a viable non- traditional approach for micronutrient nutrition in rice.

To Evaluate The Bioefficacy Of Several Insecticides Against The Brinjal Shoot AndFruit Borer (Leucinodes Orbonalis Guen.)

During Kharif 2022, an experiment was carried out in the brinjal field (Cultivar- Makra) at the Central Research Farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Gayeshpur, Nadia, West Bengal, to investigate the field efficiency of several pesticides against the brinjal shoot and fruit borer. Nine treatments (including control) i.e., Diflubenzuron+Deltamethrin 20% WP + 2% SC @ 2.25 ml/3L, Spinosad 45 SC @ 0.1ml/3L, Indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 0.3 ml/3L, Diflubenzuron 25% WP @ 2.4 ml/3L, Deltamethrin 2.8% EC @ 2.13 ml/3L, Cypermethrin+Quinalphos 3%+20% EC @ 3.6 ml/3L, Deltamethrin+Triazophos 1% WP+35% EC @ 7.5 ml/3L, Emamectin Benzoate 5 SG @ 0.20 ml/3L were imposed with three replications in RBD. All the insecticidal treatments were significantly superior to the untreated control. Spinosad 45 SC was discovered to be the best-performing pesticide treatment against shoot and fruit borer with the lowest percentage of fruit loss (10.04%). Deltamethrin 2.8% EC was the poorest effective treatment when compared to the other treatments because it generated the highest fruit destruction (13.88%). In terms of yield Spinosad 45 SC performed well than all other treatments (227.05 q/ha) and Deltamethrin 2.8% EC was the lowest (176.10 q/ha).

Effect Of Nitrogen And Potassium On Pomegranate Cv. Bhagwa Under Red And Lateritic Zone Of West Bengal

The experiment was conducted with five levels of nitrogen and four levels of potassium per plant with twenty treatment combinations were applied to three years old pomegranate cv. Bhagwa trees at the Regional Research Sub-Station, Sekampur, Birbhum of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal. The highest yield was observed with N60 (4.103 kg/plant). In potassium application the yield /plant varied between 2.96 kg/plant (K0) to 3.664 kg/plant (K40). The combined application of N80K40 resulted in a 28.07 % (212.60g) increase in fruit weight compared to the control treatment (166.00g). The highest number of fruits/plants was recorded in treatment N60 (20.438) and lowest in control (13.688). Significantly maximum number of fruits /plants was noted in K40 (18.550). The highest increase in aril weight and juice weight could be observed with the application of N60K60 treatment. Quality analysis of the fruits showed maximum TSS with the 60 g/plant k. It is concluded that the combined application of N@60g and K@40 g per plant is beneficial in improving the yield and quality of three years old pomegranate plants under the red lateritic zone of West Bengal.

Development Of Equation Of Curve To Estimate Volumetric Soil Moisture Content In CaseOf Tensiometer To Overcome The Moisture Measurement Error Due To Time Lag Issues

A field experiment was carried out at the Instructional Farm of Bidhan Chandra krishi viswavidyalaya, located in Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, in order to explore the variations in estimation of soil moisture due to time lag issues in case of tensiometer. In this work, the gravimetric technique and tensiometers were used to calculate the volumetric soil moisture content. With regard to the gravimetric approach, which was considered as the reference method, the variation of volumetric soil moisture content derived from tensiometer was analysed. For the tensiometer, it was calculated that the coefficient of variation (CV) and standard deviation (STD) values were 0.213 and 6.95 respectively. The tensiometer data was processed to compare with that volumetric moisture data which was obtained via the gravimetric approach. The objective of this study is to generate an equation of curve which would estimate the actual (error-free) volumetric soil moisture content for tensiometer from the measured volumetric soil moisture content. The equation of the curve, y = 0.009x2 + 0.7786x + 7.0652, was generated by plotting volumetric soil moisture content under tensiometer against volumetric soil moisture measured by gravimetric method (observed data). As tensiometer is not capable of producingcorrect moisture values from known tension values using soil moisture characteristics curves, due to time lag issues, soin determining the correct soil moisture status, the method of development of the equation is necessary and was proved to be very much fruitful whenever this instrument was used in the field.

Floor management of banana orchard using banana biomat mulch and leguminous cover crop for sustainable production

The experiment was carried out at ICAR-AICRP on Fruits, Mohanpur centre of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mondouri, Nadia, West Bengal in Randomized Block Design with 6 treatments viz., T₁: Banana Biomat Mulch (BBM) @ 30 kg fresh/m2 + Leguminous Cover Crops (LCC) @ 3g seeds/m2 + 0% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), T₂: T₁ + 25% RDF, T₃: T₁ + 50% RDF, T₄: T1 + 75% RDF, T₅: T₁ + 100% RDF and T₆: Control – conventional practices (no BBM & LCC) with 100% RDF. Treatments were imposed thrice a year on orchard floor of banana cv. Martaman. Observations were recorded on suppression of weed growth, weed control efficiency, soil moisture conservation, status of organic carbon content, bunch weight, finger weight, TSS and B: C ratio. The results of the investigation revealed that application of BBM+LCC with 75 or 100% of RDF (T4 & T5) significantly suppressed weed growth in orchard floors (176.01 g fresh weeds/ m2) and increased weed control efficiency (87.85%) and soil moisture conservation (20.01% to 20.34% vegetative growth & 22.64% to 23.64% during reproductive growth), soil organic carbon content (0.81%) and higher bunch weight, finger weight, TSS and B: C ratio (19.43 kg, 118.31 g, 21.26 °Brix and 3.11, respectively), as compared with conventional practice (T6 : control) and rest of the treatments T1, T2 & T3 (BBM + LCC and RDF @ 0-50%).

Standardization of planting time, spacing and nutrient management for traditional red-husked scented rice (Oryza sativa) in West Bengal

The effect of planting time (10 July, 25 July and 10 August), spacing (15 cm × 15 cm and 20 cm × 15 cm), and nutrient management [100% recommended dose (RD) of organic, 100% RD inorganic, and 50% RD organic + 50% RD inorganic] of small-grained red-husked scented “Lal Badshabhog” rice was studied during the wet season of 2014 and 2015 in a split split-plot design at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India. Early-planted crop (10 July) produced tallest plants at maturity (160.2 cm) and leaf-area index (LAI) at 84 days after transplanting (DAT) (4.88), but late planting (10 August) resulted in better tiller production at 56 DAT (285.4/ m2 ). Mean light extinction co-efficient (k) of the variety was 0.40 and 0.37 at 56 and 84 DAT, respectively. ‘Lal Badshabhog’ rice planted on 10 August recorded the highest grain yield (2.72 t/ha), which was 3.77 and 12.76% higher over 25 July and 10 July planting, respectively. Close planting (15 cm × 15 cm or 44 hills/m2 ) could improve the grain yield of ‘Lal Badshabhog’ rice by 3.95% (2.63 vs. 2.53 t/ha) over wider spacing (20 cm × 15 cm or 33 hills/m2 ), and application of 100% RD (N 50, P2O5 25, K2O 25 kg/ha) through chemical fertilizers resulted in higher grain yield (2.64 t/ha), net returns (` 32,900/ha) and benefit : cost ratio (2.02) compared to organic or integrated nutrient management. Mean N, P and K uptake by “Lal Badshabhog” rice at maturity was 41.2, 15.8 and 30.3 kg/ha, respectively, and the crop grown under integrated nutrient management (50% RD organic + 50% RD chemical fertilizer) left the field with better residual status (+5.9% N, +28.3% P2O5 and +1.7% K2O) over initial values after 2-year study in Gangetic alluvium soil.

Fruit based agroforestry systems - potential means for sustaining carbon sequestration, improving soil health and diet of community in red and lateritic zone of West Bengal, India

Fruit-based agroforestry systems (AFS) can assure food security towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and improvement in carbon sequestration, soil qualities of low-fertile degraded land. Those were revealed through observations on farmers’ practices, literature reviews and results from different agroforestry arrangements of mango with gamhar and eucalyptus; and sweet orange with gamhar for two years (2017-18 to 2018-19) of alley cropping with pigeon pea, green gram, cowpea and toria in ongoing AF experiments at Regional Research Station (Red & Lateritic Zone), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Jhargram, West Bengal, India. Total carbon stock as well as potential food energy production were higher in AFS than either in sole silvi tree, fruit tree or plots under alley crops, because of better performances of all tree and crop components in AFS. Mango with eucalyptus-based AFS gave higher carbon stock (62.33 t ha-1 yr-1) including improvement in degraded acidic soil pH (6.20%), SOC (11.86%), available N (9.09%), available P (13.97%), available K (11.64%) contents in soil. In that way, fruit-based agroforestry systems can be used as a viable alternative land use to improve soil health, diet and livelihood security even of resource-poor farm families throughout the year, especially during their impoverished needy times in a year.

Effect of Different Chemicals and PGR on Flower Induction and Physicochemical Properties of Litchi cv. Bombai Grown in New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal

The present investigation was carried out at Regional Research Station, New Alluvial Zone, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Gayeshpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India to study the effect of different chemicals and plant growth regulators on flowering induction and physico-chemical properties of Litchi cv. Bombai for three consecutive years during September 2014 to July 2017. Nine treatments with 3 replications was chosen and laid out in Randomized Block Design using DMRT for the experiment. All the plants were 12 years of age uniform in growth and healthy spaced at 10 m apart. Results from the experiment revealed that application of different chemicals and PGR significantly improved the flowering and physicochemical properties of litchi. Among the different treatments in study, application of K2HPO4 @ 1%+KNO3 @ 1% in (T6) showed highest flowering characters in terms of flowering shoot (56.17%), sex ratio (3.62), fruits panicle-1 at harvest (26.34) and lowest fruit drop panicle-1 (14.00) followed by T7 (KH2PO4 @ 1%+KNO3 @ 1%). T6 treatment also showed maximum fruit weight (21.78 g), fruit length (3.84 cm), aril weight (15.88 g) and yield (72.34 kg plant-1). TSS (16.80°B), total sugar (13.63%), ascorbic acid (42.55 mg 100 g-1), TSS: acid ratio (57.40) and anthocyanin content (46.14 mg 100 g-1) of fruit was also found highest in T6 (K2HPO4 @ 1%+KNO3 @ 1%) followed by T7 (KH2PO4 @ 1%+KNO3 @ 1%) while the lowest in control. Thus, from the different treatment under study T6 proved to be most effective followed by T7 in improving the flower induction, yield and quality of litchi cv. Bombai.