Canopy Spread Research Articles

Assessment of Morphological Variations and Crop Performance among Commonly Cultivated Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L) Verdc.) Landraces in Gombe, Nigeria

Bambara groundnut is cultivated by low-income earning farmers at the subsistence level without knowledge of genetic diversity on major morphological and yield traits. This study aimed to assess morphological variations and crop performance among commonly cultivated Bambara groundnut landraces. The five most commonly cultivated Bambara groundnut landraces were collected from farmers and were planted randomly in a complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in the Botanical Garden of Gombe State University. The results of the analysis of variance from this study revealed significant variation among some of the traits. The results on germination percentage showed that the landraces germinated between seven to ten (7-10) days after planting with 73% and 100% as the lowest and highest mean percentages. The highest mean number of leaves observed was in Stripped Black 122 whereas the lowest mean was 52. The highest mean observed at ten weeks after planting was 31.20 and the lowest mean was 23.00 in stripped brown and stripped black landraces. The highest mean plant canopy spread observed was 70cm in the white landrace, whereas the lowest mean plant canopy observed was 35cm in the black landrace. The highest mean biomass fresh weight observed was 214.95 among the white landrace while the lowest mean observed was 80.30 among the red landrace. A similar trend was recorded on biomass dry weight where the white landrace recorded 101.23 while the red landrace recorded the lowest mean biomass dry weight at 30.62 these traits have highlighted the significance chosen various parameters in selection for breeding and improvement of Bambara groundnut.

Growth, yield, yield components, and grain qualities of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as affected by liming and phosphorus rates in southwest Ethiopia

Two field experiments were conducted in the main seasons of 2021/22 ​at the farmers' farm in two districts of southwest Ethiopia to investigate the effects of lime and phosphorus on groundnut yield and yield components, employing four levels of lime (0, 2, 4, and 6 ​t CaCO3 ha−1) and phosphorus (0, 46, 69, and 92 ​kg P2O5 ha−1) arranged in factorial RCBD design with three replications. Data on the yield and its components were collected and subjected to an ANOVA using SAS software. The result demonstrated that plant height, number of branches, canopy spread, and shelling percentage were affected significantly by liming while effective nodule number, total peg, matured pod, and pod yield of groundnut significantly influenced by the main factors and their interactions. The combined application of 4 ​t lime and 46 ​kg P2O5 ha−1 resulted in the highest number of effective nodules (147.23 plant−1), total pod (72.6 plant−1), mature pod (62.4 plant−1), pod yield (4.49 ​t ​ha−1), oil content (50.6%) and protein content (33.1%) whereas the lowest values of these parameters were seen in plots where neither lime nor phosphorus was applied. Therefore, it is advised that groundnut growers in the study areas, and similar agro-ecologies, apply the combination of 4 ​t lime and 46 ​kg P2O5 ha−1.

Genetic diversity assessment of Grewia tenax (Forssk.) Fiori. germplasm for fodder and other economic traits in hot-arid Kachchh region of India

Grewia tenax (Forssk.) Fiori. belongs to the family Tiliaceae, an underutilized shrub in arid and semi-arid regions. The maximum distribution of G. tenax population was recorded in Nakhtarana (38%), Bhuj (32%), and Mandvi (15%). Morpho-physiological trait variation of germplasm viz., plant height ranged from 70 to 162.4 cm, canopy spread from 79.7 to 175.8 cm2, leaf area from 3.1 to 8. 3 cm2, relative water content from 33.3 to 72.4% and canopy temperature depression was ranged from 0.6 to 7.0ºC. The fodder traits such as above-ground biomass (AGB) varied from 0.4 to 2.9 kg/plant, with a lot of variation in crude protein (2.2- 15.2%), NDF (37.2- 64.2%), and ADF (12.0- 47.6%) contents. The fruit traits viz., fruit length ranged from 4.9 to 6.7 mm, fruit diameter 4.1 to 5.9 mm, pulp 24.0 to 46.0%, TSS 6.5 to 11.4°B, and pH 3.2 to 4.8. Based on the overall assessment, genotypes GT-2, GT-3, GT-14, and GT-15 were found the most promising. A high coefficient of variation was recorded for nitrogen (72.5%), AGB/plant (60.4%), crude protein (57.2%), and Canopy temperature depression (47.9%). Cluster analysis assembled the genotypes into two major clusters with two sub-clusters each, affirming the presence of a high amount of genetic variability between the tested genotypes. The principal component analysis revealed that first 10 Eigen PC explained 85.95% of the total variation. Biplot between PC1 and PC2 demonstrated that genotypes GT-15, GT-1, GT-3, GT-11, GT-13, GT-29, GT-32, GT-33 and GT-36 were much distinct from each other.

Assessing the impact of varied nitrogen dosages on the vegetative and reproductive parameters of ‘Sweet Sensation’ and ‘Rubygem’ strawberry in Morang, Nepal

Between 2020 and 2021, an experimental investigation was conducted in Tropical conditions to assess the effects of varying levels of nitrogen fertilization (0 kgNha−1, 0.5 kgNha−1, 1 kgNha−1, 1.5 kgNha−1, and 2 kgNha−1) on the growth and yield parameters of two strawberry cultivars (Sweet Sensation and Rubygem) in a sandy loam soil. The results demonstrated that the application of nitrogen positively influenced both vegetative (such as plant height, leaf number per plant, canopy spread, and crown diameter) and reproductive (such as number of flowers and fruits per plant, fruit yield, and TSS content) traits of both strawberry cultivars. Furthermore, the findings indicated that Sweet Sensation responded more positively to higher nitrogen doses than Rubygem in all aspects. The data showed that the utilization of 2 kgNha−1 resulted in the highest fruit yield (0.390–0.508 t/ha) and quality traits, including TSS (7.89–9.21%). While there were no significant variations in TSS content among the plants treated with different nitrogen levels, significant differences were observed between the two strawberry cultivars.

Evaluation of Different Elite Pear (Pyrus communis L.) Varieties for North Western Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh, India

The present investigation was carried out at Horticultural Research Centre under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology Meerut, during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons to select the promising varieties of pear. The experiment was conducted on a 7-8-year-old pear orchard spaced at a distance of 3 m × 4 m. On four varieties i.e. Baggugosa, Punjab Beauty, Punjab Gold and Punjab Nectar and each replicated thrice. Each treatment consisted of three trees with a total of 12 trees. The obtained results showed that the highest canopy spread (3.765 m), number of fruits per plant (57.995) and fruit yield per plant (6.235 kg) were found to be significant. On the other side, number of flowers per plant (98.98), number of primary branches (6.165), stem girth (31.83 cm), plant height (6.965 m), fruit weight (5 fruits) (122.45 g), fruit length (73.97 mm) and fruit width (58.505 mm) were found to be non-significant. The results of the present study indicate that on the basis of their flowering times, full bloom times and morpho-economic characteristics, Punjab Nectar appeared to be a superior variety in terms of tree morphology and others as moderate. Further, it can be concluded that the variety Punjab Beauty had more productivity and the fruits of Punjab Nectar and Punjab beauty were having more marketable fruit traits.

Nitric Oxide Induced by Ammonium/Nitrate Ratio Ameliorates Low-Light Stress in Brassica pekinesis: Regulation of Photosynthesis and Root Architecture.

Low-light intensity affects plant growth and development and, finally, causes a decrease in yield and quality. There is a need for improved cropping strategies to solve the problem. We previously demonstrated that moderate ammonium:nitrate ratio (NH4+:NO3-) mitigated the adverse effect caused by low-light stress, although the mechanism behind this alleviation is unclear. The hypothesis that the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) induced by moderate NH4+:NO3- (10:90) involved in regulating photosynthesis and root architecture of Brassica pekinesis subjected to low-light intensity was proposed. To prove the hypothesis, a number of hydroponic experiments were conducted. The results showed that in plants exposed to low-light intensity, the exogenous donors NO (SNP) and NH4+:NO3- (N, 10:90) treatments significantly increased leaf area, growth range, and root fresh weight compared with nitrate treatment. However, the application of hemoglobin (Hb, NO scavenger), N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, NOS inhibitor), and sodium azide (NaN3, NR inhibitor) in N solution remarkably decreased the leaf area, canopy spread, the biomass of shoot and root, the surface area, and volume and tips of the root. The application of N solution and exogenous SNP significantly enhanced Pn (Net photosynthetic rate) and rETR (relative electron transport rates) compared with solo nitrate. While all these effects of N and SNP on photosynthesis, such as Pn, Fv/Fm (maximum quantum yield of PSII), Y(II) (actual photosynthetic efficiency), qP (photochemical quenching), and rETR were reversed when the application of Hb, L-NAME, and NaN3 in N solution. The results also showed that the N and SNP treatments were more conducive to maintaining cell morphology, chloroplast structure, and a higher degree of grana stacking of low-light treated plants. Moreover, the application of N significantly increased the NOS and NR activities, and the NO levels in the leaves and roots of mini Chinese cabbage seedlings treated with N were significantly higher than those in nitrate-treated plants. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that NO synthesis induced by the appropriate ammonia-nitrate ratio (NH4+:NO3- = 10:90) was involved in the regulation of photosynthesis and root structure of Brassica pekinesis under low-light stress, effectively alleviating low-light stress and contributing to the growth of mini Chinese cabbage under low-light stress.

A comparison of apple varieties based on yield and production efficiency under north western plain zones of Uttar Pradesh

Apple is largely cultivated in India's northwestern Himalayan area, which also encompasses the nation's mountainous north-eastern regions as well as the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. This research was conducted during 2019-2020 and 2020-21 at Horticultural Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) and the number of treatments was 3, each replicated 4 times. Each treatment consists of one plant. Total 12 plants were selected for study. The plants were planted at spacing of 5x5 m. The obtained results showed that the no. of fruits per plant (176.62), no. of branches per plant (28.5) was found to be significant. On the other side canopy spread (4.84 m), stem girth (33.87 cm), plant height (4.06 m), number of flowers (1020.75), fruit size (length) (57.12 mm), fruit size (width) (52.61 mm), fruit weight per fruit (76.62 gm), ), fruit weight (5 fruits) (383.12) were found to be non-significant. The results of present study indicate that the basis of their vegetative behavior, Dorsett Golden appeared to be superior variety in terms of tree morphology and other as moderate. Further, it can be concluded that variety Dorsett Golden had more productivity and the fruits of ANNA and HRMN-99 were having more marketable fruit traits. The current study revealed the diversity of the apple cultivars analysed in this experiment, highlighting the significance of safeguarding these precious genetic resources and pursuing additional study to ensure their conservation, exchange, and utilisation in upcoming breeding initiatives for the development of novel, improved apple varieties.

Evaluation of Chilli Varieties for Growth, Yield and Thrips Incidence in Central Telangana Zone

Aim: To know the performance of chilli varieties for growth, yield and its attributing characters, incidence of thrips and leaf curl index at Central Telangana Zone of Telangana state. Study Design: Ten (10) treatments in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three (3) replications. Place and Duration of Study: Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Warangal, Central Telangana Zone of Telangana state. Experiment was conducted in the Kharif season in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Methodology: Ten chilli varieties namely Surajmukhi, Muchia, LCA-616, Bullet, Bor, Byadgi Kaddi, LCA-625, LCA-960, LCA-620, and Teja were sown in raised bed nursery and transplanted in the main field by following all the recommended package of practices. Observations were made on five randomly selected tagged plants from each variety and replicated for evaluation of characters like plant height, canopy spread, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, chlorophyll content, fruit length, fruit width, ripe fruit colour, fruit shape at pedicel attachment, fruit position, fresh fruit weight, dry fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, dry fruit yield, mean thrips population and upward leaf curl index. Results: Out of ten chilli varieties, the dry chilli yield was found to be significantly higher in Teja (26.13 q/a) and on par results were noticed in Surajmukhi (25.12 q/a), whereas lowest dry chilli yield was observed in variety Bor (4.47 q/a). Thrips incidence and leaf curl index was found to be significantly lowest in Muchia. The trend indicates that the higher yield depends on the average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant. Conclusion: Among the ten chilli varieties under study, Teja and Surajmukhi yielded more dry chilli. Whereas the variety Muchia has shown lowest incidence of thrips and leaf curl index. Hence, these varieties have scope for future crop improvement programme.

Potential of Melia dubia-wheat based agroforestry system to cope up with climate change

Climate change has impact on agricultural production, because it raises CO2 levels in the atmosphere, which leads to higher temperatures. Agroforestry systems aid in climate change adaptation and mitigation by providing relatively lower temperature beneath the tree canopy. Therefore, diversified agricultural systems are needed to be identified and studied throughout the world that can help annual crops in providing better survival conditions with least effects on yield. Although food crop output in agroforestry systems is lower than in open regions, agroforestry is seen to be capable of supporting food security, soil and water conservation, land use diversification, and micronutrient adequacy and most importantly climate change mitigation. The present study showed that all the tree parameters (i.e., tree DBH, tree height and canopy spread) recorded in the intercropped conditions (Melia dubia based agroforestry system) were found higher compared to the trees devoid of intercrops. Trees with intercrops showed more canopy spread, tree height and DBH (6.9 m, 16.3m, 56.6 m) as compared to pure stand (6.6 m, 16.2 m, 55.6 m) of Melia dubia trees. The canopy temperature depression (CTD) of wheat crop grown with Melia dubia trees was -5.58 0C whereas; -5.27 0C CTD was recorded in non-shaded conditions. Significantly higher biological yield was observed in wheat variety HD 3086 in open and intercropped conditions (134.9 q/ha and 100.5 q/ha respectively). Study revealed that M. dubia based agroforestry provides trees to perform better in intercropped conditions and provides favourable environment for the crop growing beneath in terms of lowering temperature and maintaining apt moisture to the crop raised beneath.

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

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

Response of Growth and Flowering Characters of Jasminum sambac (L.) to Modified Planting System and Pruning Schedule

Background: The study on the effect of varied plant density with different pruning levels on growth and flower yield in Jasminum sambac (L.) was carried out at the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, TNAU, Coimbatore during 2021-2022. Methods: The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with eight treatment combinations and replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of T1 (D1P1)- Control = One plant pit-1 + one pruning year-1, T2 (D1P2) = One plant pit-1 + two prunings year-1, T3 (D2P1) = Two plants pit-1 + one pruning year-1, T4 (D2P2) = Two plants pit-1 + two prunings year-1, T5 (D3P1) = Three plants pit-1 + one pruning year-1, T6 (D3P2) = Three plants pit-1 + two prunings year-1, T7 (D4P1) = Four plants pit-1 + one pruning year-1, T8 (D4P2) = Four plants pit-1 + two prunings year-1 respectively. Pruning treatments were imposed on one year after planting of J. sambac (L.) a new clone (nine budded clone) which is prolific and high yielder. Most of the growth and yield parameters were significantly influenced by increased plant densities and pruning levels. Result: Considering the growth and flowering traits in Jasmine, the pooled data indicated that the treatment T6 (D3P2) i.e. three plants pit-1 + two prunings year-1 was found superior for growth and flowering parameters namely plant height (84.47 cm), canopy spread (0.350 m2), number of primary branches plant-1 (16.27), number of secondary branches plant-1 (36.73), number of cymes plant-1 (1989.7), number of nine budded cymes plant-1 (911.0), number of flower buds plant-1 (2875.0), flower yield plant-1 (730.3 g) and flower yield ha-1 (5071.0 kg) whereas, lowest yield (3241.5 kg/ha) was observed in T1 (D1P1) i.e. one plant pit-1 + one pruning year-1. But the parameter on days taken for first harvest of flower buds, number of flower buds cyme-1 and weight of hundred flower buds was found to be non-significant. The results might be due to increased plant density combined with alteration in pruning have enhanced not only speedy plant growth and vast canopy spread but also other yield attributing parameters such as increased number of cymes with nine buds per hectare which in turn might have resulted in higher flower production when compared to conventional planting.

Influence of Paclobutrazol and Potassium Nitrate on Vegetative Growth, Leaf Nutrient Status, Flowering and Yield of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Amrapali Planted under Different Spacing

The flowering and fruiting of individual mango plant under high density planting is comparatively low. Among different strategies evolved, paclobutrazol and potassium nitrate application is effective not only in flower induction but also in early and offseason flower production in mango. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of paclobutrazol and potassium nitrate on the vegetative growth, nutrient mobilisation to leaves, flowering and fruit yield of Amrapali mango (Mangifera indica L.) plants grown under different plant spacings at Horticultural Research Station, OUAT, Bhubaneswar during 2018-19 and 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design with 24 treatment combinations and 2 replications. The treatment combinations consist of four levels of spacings (2.0 x 2.0 m, 4.0 x 2.0 m, 4.0 x 4.0 m, 8.0 x 2.0 m) and 6 levels of chemical treatments (Paclobutrazol@0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 g a.i. per meter of canopy spread and KNO3@ 2% and 4%) and a control with water application. The results of the study revealed that the plants spaced at 2.0 x 2.0 m recorded minimum vegetative growth except plant height and maximum yield (t/ha) in comparison to the plant spacing of 4.0 x 2.0 m, 4.0 x 4.0 m, 8.0 x 2.0 m. Among chemical treatments paclobutrazol irrespective of its concentration significantly reduced vegetative growth, increase flowering intensity and yield. There was a reduction in leaf N, P and K contents and increase in total leaf chlorophyll content in the plants treated with Paclobutrazol. Higher concentration of Paclobutrazol (0.75 g a.i.) reduced the yield. Whereas KNO3 increase the vegetative growth, leaf biochemical status, flowering intensity and yield. But the increase in yield of mango plant due to Paclobutrazol treatment @ 0.50 g a.i. and 0.25 g a.i. was significantly higher than KNO3 at both the applied concentration. Hence, soil drenching of paclobutrazol at 0.50 g a.i. per meter of canopy spread irrespective of plant spacing during September seems recommendable for regulating tree size and enhancing yield in mango cv. Amrapali planted under higher densities. The productivity of Amrapali mango plant can be improved through application of flower inducer like PBZ and KNO3.

A multiscale mathematical model describing the growth and development of bambara groundnut

A principal objective in agriculture is to maximise food production; this is particularly relevant with the added demands of an ever increasing population, coupled with the unpredictability that climate change brings. Further improvements in productivity can only be achieved with an increased understanding of plant and crop processes. In this respect, mathematical modelling of plants and crops plays an important role. In this paper we present a two-scale mathematical model of crop yield that accounts for plant growth and canopy interactions. A system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is formulated to describe the growth of each individual plant, where equations are coupled via a term that describes plant competition via canopy–canopy interactions. A crop of greenhouse plants is then modelled via an agent based modelling approach in which the growth of each plant is described via our system of ODEs. The model is formulated for the African drought tolerant legume bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), which is currently being investigated as a food source in light of climate change and food insecurity challenges. Our model allows us to account for plant diversity and also investigate the effect of individual plant traits (e.g. plant canopy size and planting distance) on the yield of the overall crop. Informed with greenhouse data, model results show that plant positioning relative to other plants has a large impact on individual plant yield. Variation in physiological plant traits from genetic diversity and the environmental effects lead to experimentally observed variations in crop yield. These traits include plant height, plant carrying capacity, leaf accumulation rate and canopy spread. Of these traits plant height and ground cover growth rates are found to have the greatest impact on crop yield. We also consider a range of different planting arrangements (uniform grid, staggered grid, circular rings and random allocation) and find that the staggered grid leads to the greatest crop yield (6% more compared to uniform grid). Whilst formulated specifically for bambara groundnut, the generic formulation of our model means that with changes to certain parameter’s, it may be extended to other crop species that form a canopy.

Canopy plant composition and structure of Cape subtropical dune thicket are predicted by the levels of fire exposure.

The subtropical dune thicket (hereafter "dune thicket") of the Cape Floristic Region experiences a wide range of fire exposure throughout the landscape, unlike other dry rainforest formations that rarely experience fire. We sought to determine how fire exposure influences species composition and the architectural composition of dune thicket. We used multivariate analysis and diversity indices based on cover abundance of species to describe the species composition, architectural guild composition and structure of dune thicket sites subject to different levels of fire exposure, namely low (fire return interval of >100 years), moderate (fire return interval of 50-100 years), and high (fire return interval of 10-50 years). The diversity, cover abundance and architectural guild cover abundance of dune thicket canopy species were strongly influenced by the level of fire exposure such that each level was associated with a well-circumscribed vegetation unit. Dune thickets subject to low fire exposure comprises a floristically distinct, low forest characterized by shrubs with one-to-few upright stems (ca. 4-8 m tall) and a relatively small canopy spread (vertical growers). Of the 25 species in this unit, 40% were restricted to it. Dune thickets subject to moderate fire exposure had the highest abundance of lateral spreaders, which are multi-stemmed (ca. 3-6 m tall) species with a large canopy spread and lower stature than vertical growers. None of the 17 species found in this unit was restricted to it. Dune thickets subject to high fire exposure had the highest abundance of hedge-forming shrubs, these being low shrubs (ca. 0.6-1.4 m tall), with numerous shoots arising from an extensive system of below-ground stems. Of the 20 species in this unit, 40% were restricted to it. Multivariate analysis identified three floristic units corresponding to the three fire exposure regimes. Compositional structure, in terms of species and architectural guilds, was most distinctive for dune thickets subject to high and low fire exposure, while the dune thicket subject to moderate fire exposure showed greatest compositional overlap with the other units. Fire exposure profoundly influenced the composition and structure of dune thicket canopy species in the Cape Floristic Region. In the prolonged absence of fire, the thicket is invaded by vertical-growing species that overtop and outcompete the multi-stemmed, laterally-spreading shrubs that dominate this community. Regular exposure to fire selects for traits that enable thicket species to rapidly compete for canopy cover post-fire via the prolific production of resprouts from basal buds below- and above-ground. The trade-off is that plant height is constrained, as proportionately more resources are allocated to below-ground biomass.

Assessing the critical period of weed interference in groundnut Arachis hypogaea L. in Ogun State, south western Nigeria

The critical period of weed interference in groundnut was investigated in 2018 and 2019 early cropping seasons at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. The experiment consisted of ten treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Treatments includes keeping plots weed free initially for 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 weeks after planting (WAP) and keeping plots weed infested initially for 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 WAP. Data collected on weed cover score, weed dry matter production, crop vigour score, canopy spread, pod yield and numbers were subjected to analysis of variance and treatment means were separated using least significant difference at P ≤ 0.05. The results showed that total weed dry matter production increased with weed infestation period and decreased with weed free period. Also, there was significant increase in pod yield and count when plots were kept weed free for 6 WAP and more. Our findings showed that, the highest percent weed accumulation, weed removal, pod yield loss and pod yield gain all occured between 3 and 6 WAP. Therefore, the critical period of weed interference in groundnut is between 3 and 6 WAP. Also, there was 83.4% pod yield loss in groundnut when weed was allowed to compete freely with the crop throught crop life cycle.

Growth, yield and economics of amla (Emblica officinalis L.) based agri-horticultural system in Alfisols of semi-arid tropic

An intercropping trial conducted during 2011 to 2017 using five year old amla (Emblica officinalis L.) orchard planted at 4 X 4 m spacing and grown under rainfed condition to identify the suitable and profitable intercrops. The intercrops viz, finger millet, fodder maize, field bean, grain amaranth, cowpea, horsegram were considered in the study besides their pure stand. Growth parameter of amla such as plant height (369 cm), number of branches/tree (2.73), stem diameter (35.31 cm), canopy spread (279 cm) and biomass yield (296 kg/ha ) was found to be statistically significant with Amla intercropped with field bean compared with sole amla. The higher amla equivalent yield was recorded in intercropping with finger millet (1517 kg/ha) and was at par with cowpea (1298 kg/ha). Finger millet proved to be better intercrop in amla and registered 57.11 per cent higher net returns and Benefit cost ratio than sole amla. Overall, Amla + finger millet cropping system was found to be more sustainable both interms of benefit cost ratio (2.43) and improving system productivity (104.44 %) followed by pulse crop such as cowpea and field bean. The higher sustainable yield index (0.83) was with amla + finger millet intercropping system while Land Equivalent Ratio and Area Time Equivalent Ratio were higher with amla + field bean intercropping system.

Effect of Mulched and without Mulched Intercrops on Growth Yield and Fruit Quality of Kinnow Mandarin Plantation under Semi-Arid Irrigated Conditions

The aim of the present was to analyze the effect of different intercrops with and without mulch on growth, yield and quality of kinnow mandarin orchard. The data of kinnow plant such as height, stem girth, canopy spread, and canopy volume were collected in the month of February 2020 before transplanting the intercrops. The intercrops under mulch and without mulch treatments have significant effect on growth of kinnow plant, the percent increase in plant height (3.22%) in kinnow + watermelon, stem girth (4.20%) in kinnow + tomato, and canopy spread EW direction (3.89%) in kinnow + cantaloupe, were found to have positive effect in mulch intercrops treatments and percent increase in canopy spread NS direction (3.76%) and canopy volume (10.84%) in kinnow + watermelon, was found in without mulch intercrops treatments. The number of fruits per tree, average fruit weight and yield were significantly affected by mulch and without mulch treatments, with maximum number of fruits (920), fruit weight (161.11 g), and yield (361.34 q/ha) were recorded in kinnow + watermelon. TSS (11.56%), acidity (0.91%), ascorbic acid (30.15 mg/100ml juice) were recorded in without mulch intercrops treatments, and juice (42.96%), peel (27.84%) were recorded in mulch intercrops treatments.

Effect of Biofertilizers on growth and yield attributes of Guava (Psidium guajava L) cv. L-49

Research was conducted on 4 years old guava trees var. L-49 during Nov-Dec at College of Horticulture and Forestry, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh. The result showed that Plant height (17.90%) and Plant girth (16.66%), Canopy spread (N-S) (21.90%), Canopy spread (E-W) (22.59%) was highest with the application of ½ RDF + Azotobacter 100 g + Azospirillum 100 g + VAM 100 g followed by ¼ RDF + Azotobacter 100 g + Azospirillum 100 g + PSB 100 g + VAM 100 g. Application of ½ RDF + Azotobacter 100 g + Azospirillum 100 g + VAM100 g showed maximum Fruit set (59.43%), Number of fruiting branches (26.40), Number of fruits per branch (8.60), No. of fruits per tree (234.28) and Fruit yield (57.53 kg/ha). Fruit retention (59.76%) was maximum with the application of ¼ RDF+ Azotobacter 100 g + Azospirillum 100 g + PSB 100 g + VAM 100 g.

Effect of inorganic and organic fertilizers on productivity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties in East Hararghe, Eastern Ethiopia

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a high economic value oil crop commonly grown in low-land semi-arid areas of Ethiopia. The crop production is constrained by low soil fertility; however, the nutrient management practice has been given low attention. This study was therefore conducted during the main cropping season of 2015/2016 ​at Babile and Fedis sites of East Hararghe, Ethiopia to evaluate the growth, nodulation, and yield response of groundnut varieties to the application of combined mineral nitrogen, phosphorus, and vermicompost fertilizers, and zinc. Treatments consisted of a factorial combination of three varieties (Ba-ha-Gudo, Ba-ha-Jidu, and Roba); three fertilizers combinations (0: 0 ​kg ​N: P2O5 ha−1 with no VC, 46: 46 ​kg ​N: P2O5 ha−1 with no VC, and 46: 46 ​kg ​N: P2O5 ha−1 with 2.5 ​t VC ha−1); and three rates of Zn (0, 5, and 10 ​kg Zn ha−1) in a randomized complete block design at both sites. The growth, nodulation, yield components, and yield data were subjected to analysis by SAS. The result revealed that plant height was significantly affected by variety and fertilizers combination, the number of branches plant−1 affected by the interaction of variety and fertilizers combination while canopy spread and nodulation parameters were affected by the interaction of variety, fertilizers combination, and Zn rate. Pod plant−1 and hundred seed weight, dry biomass, pod and seed yields, and seed oil content were significantly affected by the interaction of variety, fertilizers combination, and Zn rate. The highest dry biomass (7.26 ​t ​ha−1), pod (3.13 ​t ​ha−1), seed (2.16 ​t ​ha−1) yields and seed oil content (51.3%), net benefit ($1704.2 ​ha-1) with a marginal rate of return of 242% were obtained from variety Ba-ha Gudo received the combined application of 46: 46 ​kg ​N: P2O5 ha−1 and 2.5 ​t VC ha−1 with 5 ​kg Zn ha−1. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Ba-ha Gudo variety is preferably produced using the combined application of 46: 46 ​kg ​N: P2O5 ha−1 and 2.5 ​t VC ha−1 with 5 ​kg Zn ha−1 for high productivity in the study sites and similar agro-ecologies.

Morphological characterization and performance of different pineapple (Ananas comosus) varieties in northern parts of West Bengal

Pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.] is popular all over the world for its pleasant aroma, sweet-acidic taste and smooth pulp texture. It is the third most important fruit on the basis of global trade after banana and citrus. The present investigation was carried out in 2014–16 to assess the growth behaviour and performance of different pineapple varieties like Kew, Queen, Mauritius, Haricharanvita, Baruipur Local, MD-2, MTS, and Amritha in northern parts of West Bengal. The experiment was laid in Randomized Block Design (RBD) for successive two years. The indigenous Haricharanvita variety showed the maximum vigour in terms of plant height, leaf length and canopy spread. The maximum numbers of leaves were recorded in Kew followed by Queen. Maximum leaf area was also recorded in Kew and the maximum numbers of suckers were produced by Mauritius followed by Baruipur Local. Mauritius exhibited earliest (325.75 days) and maximum flowering (98.34%), required lowest time (109.45 days) for maturity compared to all varieties assessed. Indigenous Haricharanvita and Baruipur Local exhibited delayed and lesser flowering percentage with longest fruit maturity time. Highest yield (without crown) was recorded in Kew (89.70 t/ha), followed by Mauritius (57.54 t/ha), while it was lowest in Baruipur Local (31.00 t/ha). Among the physico-chemical parameters, Mauritius recorded highest pulp percentage (62.70%), TSS (18.10obrix), total sugar (12.87%), ascorbic acid (45.52 mg/100g) content, TSS: acid ratio (28.14) and lowest peel (17.82%) and crown (17.79%) content. Among the different varieties studied, Mauritius was found to be the best table purpose variety under northern part of West Bengal