Central Agricultural University Research Articles

Gene effect analysis of forage quality traits in barley (Hordeum vulgare) in Bundelkhand region of India

Present study was carried out during winter (rabi) seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21 at Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh to decipher underlying gene effects for green forage quality characters in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. Eight diverse barley genotypes, viz. BH902, BH946, DWRB160, DWRB180, RD2552, RD2794, RD2899 and RD2907 were evaluated and crossed in half diallel design. A total of 28 F1s along with 8 parents were sown in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The green fodder was harvested after 55 days of sowing (DAS) and fodder quality analysis was conducted. The crude protein (CP) and nitrogen (N) contents showed mean values of 14.19 and 2.49% ranged from 12.62–15.26% and 2.22–2.68%, respectively. The characters, viz. organic matter (OM), CP, N, lignin (L) and hemicellulose (HCL) showed prepondrance of additive gene effects, whereas acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and cellulose (CL) showed the prevalnce of dominance gene effects. The genotype DWRB180 and two rowed malt barley variety DWRB160 were estimated with desirable additive gene effects for forage intake and digestibility traits. The cross combinations, DWRB160/RD2899, BH946/RD2552 and RD2794/DWRB180 can be further utilized for CP and N contents, whereas, the progenies, viz. BH946/DWRB180 and RD2552/RD2907 were promising for ADF and NDF. GT biplot corroborated positive correlations of NDF with ADF (0.43**), HCL (0.88**) and CL (0.41*). The improvement in forage intake and digestibility characters like ADF, NDF and CL is suggested through complex crossing followed by selection.

Impact of Different Sowing Dates on Growth and Pod Yield of Vegetable Pea under Sub-Himalayan Foothills Region of India

Background: The optimum sowing date is crucial among the different agronomic procedures for maximizing output. Optimizing a crop's planting time may be one of the most significant climate resilient tactics for increasing production and hence it becomes necessary to study the crop growth behaviors in changing climatic conditions. The proposed field investigations were undertaken to study the influence of different sowing dates on yield of vegetable pea. Methods: Field investigations were undertaken during Rabi seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-22 at the Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (85.67oE - 25.98oN.), which comes under sub-Himalayan foothills region of India. The research study was performed in Randomized Block Design with three replications consisting of eight different sowing dates of vegetable pea. cv. Azad Pea-3 at 10 days interval between each sowing dates. Observations were made on various growth and yield attributing parameters. Result: Results revealed that the parameters under study were substantially affected by various sowing dates. Second week of sowing in November in the years produced maximum plant height at 60 DAS (83.77cm), number of branches per plant (3.97), number of nodules per plant at flowering (26.13), number of green pods per plant (20.80), 10 pods weight (75.67g) and pod yield (52.06q/ha).

The Integrated Effect of Organic Manure, Biofertilizer and Inorganic Fertilizer on Soil Properties, Yield and Quality in Sugarcane Plant-ratoon System under Calcareous Soil of Indo-gangetic Plains of India

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, to devise nutrient management strategies aimed at sustaining soil health, quality and sugarcane production within the sugarcane plant-ratoon system. The experiment evaluated the efficacy of various fertilizers on the solubility of applied inorganic fertilizer during the spring season in calcareous soil. Results from the combined data analysis showed significant variations in the number of millable cane (NMC), cane yield, and sugar yield due to the integrated application of organic and inorganic fertilizers along with bio-fertilizers in both the plant and ratoon crops. Treatments combining organic and inorganic fertilizers with bio-fertilizers demonstrated a noteworthy increase in NMC, cane yield, and sugar yield compared to the control group. The treatment that received 75% NPK of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) along with Acetobacter, PSB, and Bio-compost at a rate of 7.5 t ha-1 exhibited the highest NMC (103.0 × 103 ha-1), cane yield (85.8 t ha-1), and sugar yield (11.21 t ha-1). Furthermore, the residual effect of the treatment combining organic and inorganic fertilizers with bio-fertilizers showed a pronounced impact on NMC (92.4 × 103 ha-1), yield (79.6 t ha-1), and sugar yield (9.36 t ha-1) in the ratoon crop under treatment T9. Bio-compost notably enhanced the overall performance of sugarcane. Nutrient uptake by both plant and ratoon followed a similar trend as cane yield. Application of RDF alongside various bio-fertilizers significantly enhanced sugarcane productivity compared to the control group. Notably, the efficacy of bio-fertilizers was more pronounced when used in conjunction with inorganic treatments. Treatment with organic inputs through bio-compost resulted in reduced pH and increased electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, and available nutrients (N,P, and K) in post-harvest soil. Enzymatic activities including glycosidase, urease, acid phosphatase, and dehydrogenase were also recorded.

Genetic variability and association study of SSR markers for yield and powdery mildew disease in pea (Pisum sativum)

Makhyatmubi, one of the most popular local varieties of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) in Manipur has morpho- physiological bottlenecks such as tall nature and high susceptibility to fungus Erysiphe pisi causing powdery mildew disease. Therefore, an experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) seasons of 2018–19 and 2020–21 at College of Post-Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur), Umiam, Meghalaya to generate genetic variability by hybridization of Makhyatmubi with Prakash variety which is a well-known powdery mildew resistant variety in India and possesses several contrasting characters. Fruitful heterosis was estimated with highest record in number of pods per plant (114.75%) and seed yield per plant (108.04%). These two characters also showed high PCV, GCV, heritability and GAM. Number of pods per plant (0.95) was found to have highest positive significant correlation with seed yield per plant. MP-5 and MP-119 recorded superior performance in several characters under study. For the association study of simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers, easily scorable polymorphic markers were selected for surveying association with the traits. Results revealed that SSR marker AA122 may be associated with seed yield and number of pods per plant while marker AA136 with number of seeds per pod. A5 marker was found to be associated with the powdery mildew disease. Hence, it can be employed for marker assisted selection (MAS) to identify and select pea genotypes exhibit resistance to powdery mildew disease.

Study on Biology of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) on Maize, Zea mays L. in Manipur, India

Aim: To study the biology and morphometric parameters of different stages of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda.
 Study Design: Experimental study.
 Place and Duration of Study: PG laboratory, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Iroisemba, CAU (Central Agricultural University), Imphal, June-August 2022.
 Methodology: The egg masses collected from maize fields were transferred to sterilized petri plates containing maize leaves and reared under laboratory conditions (25±2°C, 70±10% RH). Duration and morphometric parameters of different stages of fall armyworm were recorded regularly.
 Results: The mean incubation period of eggs was observed to be 1.90 days. The larval period of six instars were recorded to be 2-4, 2-5, 2-3, 2-3, 2-3, 2-3 and 3-6 days, respectively. The mean larval length of six instars were 1.91, 3.38, 6.15, 9.78, 18.60 and 32.30 mm, respectively. The mean larval width of six instars were 0.33, 0.74, 1.31, 2.26, 2.92 and 3.53 mm, respectively. The average larval weight of six instars were 0.0031, 0.0214, 0.0420, 0.0503, 0.0576 and 0.0652 gm, respectively. The total larval duration was observed to be 16.70 days. The male and female pupal period was found to be 7.60 and 7.10 days, respectively. The average male pupal length, width and weight were 14.79±0.18 mm, 4.54±0.14 mm and 0.17±0.01 gm, respectively. The average female pupal length, width and weight were 13.0-18.20 mm, 4.0-5.2 mm and 0.18±0.01 gm, respectively. The ovipositional period was found to be 1-6 days. Mean longevity of males and females were observed to be 8.70 and 9.00 days, respectively. The total life cycle of male and female lasted 34.90 and 35.60 days, respectively.
 Conclusion: This study clearly provides basic information about the biology of this recently invaded pest. To prevent the potential devastating occurrence, compatible integrated pest management strategies are needed at the early stages of FAW infestation.

Enhancement of Yield, Nitrogen use Efficiency, Production Economics of Fodder Oat through Selection of Appropriate Genotype and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application

Growing fodder oat (Avena sativa L.) genotype with high yielding potential with adequate nitrogen could enhance the fodder yield and quality to bridge the gap between demand and supply of green fodder. Therefore, an experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of different genotypes and nitrogen levels on yield, nitrogen use efficiency, production economics, and agro-meteorological parameters of fodder oat at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar. Six oat genotypes, viz., Kent, JO-07-28, OS-403, OS-6, HFO-904 and HFO-906, were sown with 40, 80 and 120 kg of nitrogen per hectare. The experiment was set up using a split-plot design, with three replications of the genotypes in the main plots and N levels in sub-plots. Results revealed that genotype JO-07-28 was significantly superior to Kent (check) with respect to green fodder yield whereas both were comparable to each other with respect to dry matter yield, crude protein content and yield. Kent showed maximum N, P and K uptake and heat use efficiency, helio-thermal and photo-thermal unit efficiency. However, genotype JO-07-28 yielded the highest net returns (Rs. 27421/ha), B:C ratio (1.85), and economic efficiency (Rs. 271/ha/day). Among other nitrogen levels, application of 120 kg N/ha recorded the maximum yields of green fodder (371 q/ha) and dry matter (91 q/ha), crude protein content and yield, N uptake, net returns (Rs. 23096/ha), B:C ratio (1.71) and economic efficiency (Rs. 231/ha/day) and  heat use efficiency (7.60), helio-thermal and photo-thermal unit efficiency which were statistically equivalent to 80 kg N/ha. Genotype JO-07-28 and HFO-904 were the most N efficient genotype in terms of partial factor productivity of N fertilizer and nitrogen utilization efficiency, respectively. Enhancement in level of N application reduced the nitrogen use efficiency.

Genetic variability studies among thirty three vegetable soybean genotypes under Manipur condition

The present study was carried out at Central Agricultural University Research Farm, Andro, Imphal East, Manipur, during kharif 2021 to estimate genetic variability parameters of thirty three vegetable soybean genotypes for ten characters. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the tested genotypes. Maximum phenotypic coefficient of variation value (66.54) and genotypic coefficient of variation value (66.53) was recorded for character fresh pod yield/plant. Heritability (in broad sense) value ranged from 99.99 to 86.53. The estimates of genetic advance expressed as percentage ranged from 137.24 to 118.09. Highest GA over its mean was recorded for fresh pod yield/plant (137.24), followed by number of pods/plant (118.09). The correlation study showed a positive and significant correlation between fresh pod yield/plant and the number of pods/plant, 100 fresh pod weight and 100 fresh seed weight.

Effect of Planting Pattern, Fertilizer Levels and Weed Management Practices on System Productivity and Economics of Pigeonpea-Based Intercropping System

The experiment was conducted during kharif 2021-22 at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, a campus of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. The primary objective was to assess how different planting pattern, in addition with the varying fertilizer levels along with weed management practices, affected the growth and physiological characteristics of pigeon pea under pigeon pea based intercropping system. The study was laid down by using factorial randomized block design with 2 intercropping systems, 3 fertilizer levels and 4 weed management practices, each replicated three times to reduce the experimental error. The study's results highlighted that all the intercropping system in both the planting pattern recorded significantly higher net return and B:C ratio than sole pigeon pea. Among the intercropping systems, paired row planting of pigeon pea (45 cm) in 2:2 row ratio significantly recorded maximum growth, yield attributes and yield, net return and B:C ratio than their intercropping with pigeon pea in normal planting pattern (60 cm) in 1:1 row ratio and pigeon pea + soybean in both planting pattern. Although, growth, yield and economics increased significantly with subsequent increase in fertilizer levels and recorded higher values up to 100% RDF. Weed management practices recorded significantly higher plant height, yield indices, grain yield, net return and B:C ratio than weedy check. Among weed management practices, hand weeding twice recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes, fruiting efficiency, grain yield and net return than combined application of imazethapyr with quizalofop ethyl and pre-plant incorporation of chlorimuron ethyl fb imazathapyr except number of pods/plant, fruiting efficiency and net return with combined application of imazethapyr + quizalofop ethyl. However, significantly higher B:C ratio was associated with combined application of imazethapyr + quizalofop ethyl.  Application of 50% RDF in weed management practices produced significantly higher pigeon pea yield than application of 100% RDF in weedy check. Hence, 50% RDF could be saved by adopting the weed management practices in pigeon pea.

Effect of Foliar Application of Different Chemicals on Yield and Yield Attributes of Black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] under Rainfed Condition

A field experiment was performed at the “TCA., research farm of Dholi (Muzaffarpur), which is a unit of the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), Bihar, during the Kharif season of 2021” to investigate the “Effect of foliar application of different chemicals on yield attributes and yield of Black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] under rainfed condition”. The design used for making layout of experimental unit was RBD, that was replicated three times, with ten treatments in each replication for a total of 30 plots. The experiment conducted with 10 treatments viz., Absolute Control (T1), Water Spray (T2), ZnSO4 @ 0.5% Spray (T3), NPK (19-19-19) @ 2% Spray (T4), Urea @ 2% Spray (T5), DAP @ 2% Spray (T6), Salicylic acid @ 100 ppm Spray (T7), Potassium Nitrate @ 2% Spray (T8), Boron 0.25 % Spray (T9), Potassium Chloride @ 0.2% Spray(T10). The foliar spray of different treatments applied had a significant impact on the number of pod number plant-1, seed count pod-1 and the length of the pod. However, foliar chemicals had no appreciable impact on the weight of 100 seeds. At pre-flowering and pod-initiation stage, foliar treatment of “NPK (19-19-19) @ 2 % spray (T4)” resulted in significantly greater seed production and stover output. Different chemical administration to the foliage had no significant effect on harvest index.

Evaluation of Morphological Traits in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Genotypes Cultivated in North-East India

The present study was conducted during the kharif season 2022 at the Vegetable Research Farm, located within the College of Horticulture and Forestry at Central Agricultural University in Pasighat, East Siang, Arunachal Pradesh, India to investigate “Evaluation of Morphological Traits in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Genotypes Cultivated in North-East India”. These morphological traits demonstrated significant variation among the twenty locally accessible genotypes. Qualitative traits such as growth habit, twining habit, foliage colour, leaflet shape, flower colour, pod shape, pod colour, seed shape, seed colour were recorded. Quantitative characters such as days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), leaf area (cm²), number of clusters per plant, number of pods per cluster, number of pods per plant, pod length (cm), pod width (cm), days to harvest, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight (g) and pod yield per plant (g) were studied. The mean performance revealed that CHF CP-12 gave highest pod yield per plant (589.19 g), highest 100 seed weight in CHF CP-12 (24.67 g), longest pod length in CHF CP-5 (32.77 cm), longest pod width in CHF CP-10 (1.07 cm), maximum number of clusters per plant was recorded in CHF CP-12 (14.16), maximum number of pods per plant in CHF CP-17 (11.80) and maximum leaf area was recorded in CHF CP-6 (229.30 cm²). The minimum number days taken for 50% flowering was found in genotypes CHF CP-9 (45.67).   

A Review: Pulses Production, Productivity, Status and Way Forward for Enhancing Farmers Income of Bundelkhand Region, India

Total pulses area in Uttar Pradesh, contributes of pulses through the Bundelkhand region, more than half but the productivity is low because lack of technological approaches for pulse growing area. This review paper assessed the cultivation of pulses production, productivity and area, of Bundelkhand and in India also. The technologies and infrastructure need to be accepted pulses cultivation and accurate policies for the farmers through government.  Pulses are next to cereals regarding their nutritional and economic significance to human health. The pulses crop highly water sensitive like chickpea, lentil, mung bean and black gram are dominant in drought prone areas and improve soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Rainfed Agriculture has emerged as an opportunity in raising pulse production which is depend on amount and distribution of rainfall growing area. The cropping system of pulses cultivation year-after-year has observed that incidence of disease, insect-pests and weeds increase in Bundelkhand region. In pigeon pea, chickpea and lentil crops, important biotic agent for affecting production. United Nations declared 2016 ' "International Year of Pulses" was to increase production and consumption of pulses 10% by 2025 and raise public awareness towards health through social media. The many initiatives schemes govern by government of India for increase the pulses growing area and production such as ISOPOM (Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil palm and Maize) (2004-05 to 2009-10), NFSM Pulses (National Food Security Mission, 2007-08), for Technology demonstration. The Bundelkhand regions as 5 lakhs farmers of 14 districts of two states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh should be linked with Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University (RLBCAU) and benefited from this university to produce pulses.

Studies on Biochemical Changes in Immature Mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) cv Konsam Heinou of Manipur using Different Skin Coatings During Storage

The present investigation on “Studies on Biochemical Changes in Immature Mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) cv Konsam Heinou of Manipur Using Different Skin Coatings during storage” was carried out during month of May-June of the year 2021 at Post Graduate Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Manipur. Freshly collected uniform sized mango fruits were picked, washed, cleaned and treated in the laboratory with various coatings, including castor oil (T1), palm oil (T2), coconut oil (T3), mustard oil (T4), aloevera gel (T5), paraffin wax (T6), cling film (T7), and no coating (T8). The experiment was framed in CRD (Completely Randomized Design) and repeated 3 times with 7 treatments and an uncoated treatment. The results obtained from the current investigation on biochemical changes in quality parameters the fruits treatments with cling film (T7) had minimum TSS, TSS : Acid ratio, reducing sugar and total sugar content with maximum acidity content while fruits coating with paraffin wax (T6) and cling film(T7) had maintaining of chlorophyll content up to 15th days of storage under ambient condition.

Assessing the Variations in Canopy Temperature, Relative Humidity and Soil Temperature within the Canopy of Winter Maize in Bihar

Variations in canopy temperature, relative humidity and soil temperature within crop micro-environment exert full control over plant’s physiological processes and thereby over growth, development and yield of crop. These micro-meteorological parameters tend to significantly control the exchange of energy between the crop environment and the atmosphere. Keeping all this in view, a field experiment with winter maize ( var. Rajendra hybrid 4) was conducted with five dates of sowing viz., 1 November (D1), 10 November (D2), 20 November (D3), 30 November (D4) and 10 December (D5) and three spacings viz., 60 X 20 cm (S1), 75 cm X 20 cm (S2) and 45 cm X 20 cm (S3) at the University farm of Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar during rabi season of 2021-22 to assess the variations in canopy temperature, relative humidity and soil temperature, as influenced by micro-environments and planting density. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with sowing dates as main-plots and spacings as split plots. Results revealed that canopy temperature was found to be the highest for the crop planted on D4 (30 November) with S2 (75cm X 20 cm) spacing, while the lowest was associated with the crop sown on D1 (1 November) with S3 (45 cm X 20 cm) spacing. Mean canopy temperature decreased from sowing to knee high stage, thereafter it increased with every phenological stage up to physiological maturity. Crop sown on D3 (20 November) having S3 (45 cm X 20 cm) spacing recorded maximum relative humidity. Highest soil temperature at 15 cm depth was recorded for D5 (10 December) sown and S2 (75cm X 20cm) spaced crop and the lowest for D2 (10 November) having S3 (45cm X 20cm) spacing. Information generated on the variation in canopy temperature, relative humidity and soil temperature at different phenophases of winter maize would be useful in managing abiotic stresses on crop production.

Morphological and Cultural Variability among Exserohilum turcicum Isolates Causing Turcicum Leaf Blight Disease of Maize in Manipur

This present experiment was conducted May–October, 2021 and April–October, 2022) in the Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur, India to study the different morphological and cultural characterizations of the pathogen, Exserohilum turcicum responsible for causing the Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB)/ Turcicum leaf blight (TLB) disease of maize. A total of 10 accessions were used for this experiment which were collected from different districts of Manipur. Based on the colony colour, they were classified as black, greyish-black and light greyish. Pigmentation was the same, i.e., black for all. Based on sporulation they were categorised as excellent, good and moderate. Different types of growth patterns were also observed from different types of accessions, i.e., flattened, slightly raised fluffy and raised cottony. The margins were recorded as regular and irregular. The range of fresh and dry weight, varied from 12.12 g–5.15 g and 1.61 g–0.82 g, respectively. Among six different types of media used to measure radial colony growth, maize leaf extract was found to be the highest and corn meal agar was the least. The growth rate for up to 7 days was observed and it was found that OQ689065 was considered as fastest-growing among all while, OQ689062 was considered as slowest. As per the length of the conidia, the maximum and minimum length was found to be 91.70 µm and 57.35 µm. Similarly, the maximum and minimum width was found to be 18.01 µm and 11.09 µm. The average septation of 10 accessions varied from 6.4 to 4.3. The statistical analyses performed during this study were found significant.

Correlation, Path Analysis and Genetic Divergence of Various Agro-morphological Traits and Traits Suitable for Mechanical Harvesting of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Germplasm

Five hundred and forty germplasm lines of chickpea were evaluated along with five checks (RLBGK-1, BG 3062, RVG 204, Phule Vikram, NBeG 47) in augmented design during rabi, 2021–2022 at Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India to study the agro-morphological features and traits appropriate for mechanical harvesting. Correlation, path coefficient analysis and genetic divergence were estimated to find out the extent of association and genetic divergence among chickpea germplasm.  Plant height, growth habit, the height of the initial podding node, and the angle of the primary branch are characteristics that have been researched to identify lines that are suited for mechanical harvesting. Peduncle length, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, number of pods per plant, chlorophyll content, leaf area index, chlorophyll fluorescence showed positive correlation with seed yield per plant. Plant height and height of first podding node were showing positive high indirect effects through number of secondary branches on seed yield per plant. Cluster 1 was the largest with 399 germplasm while two clusters number 24 and 37 were smallest with 1 genotype each.  Plant height and height of first podding node were exhibiting maximum mean in cluster 32, whereas seed yield per plant was having maximum mean in cluster 14. According to percent contribution of different characters to total divergence obtained, the most significant contributors to the divergence were number of pods per plant and plant height. Correlation analysis indicated that traits suitable for mechanical harvesting are not directly correlated with seed yield, while path coefficient analysis indicated that they have indirect effects on seed yield through number of primary and secondary branches per plant.

Investigation on Management of Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita through Soil Application of Bio-control Agents in Field Pea

The pot experiment was conducted at AICRP on vegetables, Pusa farm, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University during 2020-21. The bio-control agents viz. Glomus fasciculatum (85-90 spores/g), Trichoderma harzianum 1.0% WP (2×106 cfu/g), Pseudomonas fluorescens 1.0% WP (1×108 cfu/g), Purpureocillium lilacinum 1.0% WP (2×106 cfu/g) either singly or in combined application shown significant improvement in plant growth and development and in declining nematode population. The combined application of P. fluorescens 1.0% WP (1×108 cfug-1) and P. lilacinum 1.0% WP (2×106 cfug-1) when applied 10g per pot each is efficient in improving plant growth and on other hand, plants treated with Cartap hydrochloride 4G (5g per pot) had the lowest nematode population, galls per plant, and Reproduction factor (Rf). P. lilacinum 1.0% WP (2×106 cfu/g) demonstrated promising effects in plants when just single bio-control agent i.e., 10g/pot was used. This study discovered that utilizing a mixture of bio-control agents was more effective than using bio-control agents alone in reducing the population of M. incognita. According to the study, bio-control agents had the same effects as Cartap hydrochloride 4G. As a result, bio-control agents can be used instead of nematicides.

Effect of Tillage and Weed Management Practices on Dry Matter, Yield and Nutrient Uptake by Plant and Depletion by Weed in Lentil Crop (Lens culinaris M.)

Aims: To evaluate the impact of tillage and weed management techniques on Plant dry weight, Yield, nutrient uptake by plant and depletion by weed in lentil crop (Lens culinaris M.).
 Place and Duration of Study: A field study was conducted at Research Farm of Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India, from Oct 2020 to Mar 2021.
 Methodology: The experiment followed a split-plot design with three replications. The main plots consisted of three tillage practices (M1: Zero tillage, M2: Minimum tillage, and M3: Conventional tillage), while subplots included five weed management practices [T1: control, T2: 1 hand weeding at 20 DAS, T3: chlorimuron-ethyl 4 g/ha (pre-emergence) + paddy straw mulching (5.0 t/ha), T4: quizalofop-ethyl 40 g/ha at 20 DAS (post-emergence) and T5: chlorimuron-ethyl 4 g/ha (pre-emergence) + quizalofop-ethyl 40 g/ha at 20 DAS (post-emergence)].
 Results: Among the tillage practices conventional found most effective in term of increasing plant dry weight, grain yield, straw yield, nutrient uptake by crop while effectively reduce the weed dry matter and nutrient depletion by the weed. Among the weed management practices hand weeding proved to be the most effective weed management practice, leading to higher plant dry matter, grain yield, straw yield and nutrient uptake by crop and least weed dry matter weight and nutrient depletion by weeds. Among the chemical weeding chlorimuron ethyl (PE) + paddy straw mulching showed comparable effectiveness to hand weeding in all the parameters. These results highlight the importance of tillage practices and effective weed management techniques in optimizing plant growth, yield, nutrient uptake, and weed control.

Impact of Various Nitrogen Rates on the Performance of Winter Potato (Var. Kufri Sindhuri) in Valley Areas of Manipur, India

The research was aimed at analyzing the performance of winter potato under different nitrogen rates at the experimental fields of College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal. The variety Kufri Sindhuri was cultivated during the winter seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19 under three different nitrogen rates- 120 kgha-1 (N1), 100 kgha-1 (N2) and 80 kgha-1 (N3) using drip irrigation. The results indicated that plants fertilized with 120 kgha-1 nitrogen recorded maximum germination percentage (86.17%), plant height (40.47cm), number of shoots plant-1 (4.50), stem girth (0.56cm), crop growth rate (17.96gm-2day-1), relative growth rate (2.75gg-1day-1), weight of tubers per plant (1.04kg) and tuber yield (19.96t/ha) amongst other treatments. Thus, concluding that healthy plants and good yield of potato was obtained when fertilized with 120 kgha-1 of Nitrogen in Imphal.

Inference of Rock Phosphate, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria and Lime on Phosphorus Content and Economic Yield of Green Gram

Aim: To study the effect of Rock Phosphate, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria, and Lime on phosphorus content in the soil, Phosphorus Uptake, and Economic yield of green gram (var. DGGS-4).
 Study Design: This experiment was conducted through a completely randomized design with 10 treatments and 3 replications.
 Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Central Agricultural University, Imphal between February 2019- November 2019.
 Methodology: Available phosphorus content in soil was estimated spectrophotometrically by Bray and Kurtz No. 1 method, the Active Phosphorus was determined by the addition of Saloid-bound phosphate, Aluminum phosphate, iron phosphate, and calcium phosphate, and total Inorganic P is the summation of all the inorganic forms of P. Total Phosphorus (Total P) in Soil was estimated by using Murphy-Riley solution and 5M NaOH and the intensity of yellow color was read at 730 nm in a spectrophotometer, organic P was calculated from the difference between total phosphorus and total mineral P, and the uptake of phosphorus was computed from the data on P concentration and dry matter yield.
 Results: The release and fixation pattern of different forms of phosphorus, its uptake, and the economic yield of green gram were significantly affected by the application of rock phosphate singly or combination with PSB and lime. Comparing among the different treatments, significantly higher accumulation of available Phosphorus, Phosphorus uptake, and economic yield were recorded in soil treated with Rock phosphate in combination with Phosphocare, Bacillus megatherium, and lime which is at par with treatment with Rock phosphate in combination with Bacillus megatherium and lime.
 Conclusion: The investigation revealed that the release and fixation pattern of different forms of phosphorus, its uptake, and the yield of green gram are significantly affected by the application of RP singly or combination with PSB and lime.

POLY4 Positively Improves the Growth, Fodder Yield and Quality of Oat (Avena sativa L.) in Semi-Arid Tropics of Central India

A study was carried out to examine the effects of different potassium fertilizer sources on growth, fodder yield and quality at the Research Farm, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The experiment was conducted under semi-arid climatic conditions in a simple Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments (control, 100% NP, 100% recommended dose of potassium (RDK) through MOP, 100% RDK through SOP, 100% RDK through POLY4, 75% RDK+ 1% RDK foliar spray (30 days after sowing and 30 days after fodder harvest) through POLY4, 100% RDK through schoenite and 75% RDK+ 1% RDK foliar spray (30 days after sowing and 30 days after fodder harvest)  through schoenite, 75% RDK through MOP + KSB (potassium solubilizer bacteria, Seed treatment), KSB alone (Seed treatment) and three replications. Results showed that application of 75% RDK+ 1% RDK foliar spray (30 days after sowing and 30 days after fodder harvest) through POLY4 recorded the significantly highest growth and yield contributing parameters, which is beneficially resulted in increased green fodder yield (159%) as compared to control. However, it was at par with the application 75% RDK+ 1% RDK foliar spray (30 days after sowing and 30 days after fodder harvest) through schoenite. The fodder quality parameters viz. CP, ADF, and NDF were also remarkably improved with the application of 75% RDK+1% RDK foliar spray (30 days after sowing and 30 days after fodder harvest) through POLY4 in oat crop. The results imply that farmers may apply 75% RDK+1% RDK foliar spray through POLY4 to achieve good quality higher green fodder in sandy clay loam soil for oat production.