Central Agricultural University Research Articles

Influence of Major Abiotic Factors on the Population Trend of Tetranychusurticae Koch on Okra at Samastipur, Bihar, India

Field experiments were conducted to study the population fluctuation of the phytophagous mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) in okra and its relation with different abiotic factors under field conditions during summer 2023 at Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar. The population of T. urticae in okra commenced from the first fortnight of March and reached its peak of 34.60 mites/ 2.5cm2 leaf areas on the first fortnight of June. There was a positive and significant correlation of the population of T. urticae with maximum temperature (r = 0.779**) and minimum temperature (r = 0.699*).

Conservation agriculture and nutrient management strategies for enhancing crop performance, productivity and nutrient uptake under rice-wheat cropping system

Understanding the relationship between tillage and nutrient management strategies is crucial for maintaining the long-term sustainability of the rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS). Therefore, a field experiment was conducted from 2022 to 2024 at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University in Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar to study the effect of nutrient management strategies under conservation agriculture (CA) for enhancing crop growth performance, protein content and productivity of RWCS. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design replicated thrice with 3 different tillage and crop establishment methods [zero tillage direct seeded rice (ZTDSR)-zero tillage wheat (ZTW), puddled DSR (PDSR)-ZT with rice residue retention (ZT + RR) and puddled transplanted rice (PTR)-conventional tillage wheat (CTW)] in main plots and four nutrient management strategies [Farmer’s Fertilizer Practices (FFP), Nutrient Expert recommended dose of fertilizer (NE-RDF), RDF + spray of nanourea (NU) and Customized fertilizer (CF)] in sub plots. In both years, crop growth attributes at harvest in rice were found maximum under PDSR while in wheat it was under ZT + RR. In wheat, ZT + RR recorded maximum grain yield which was 13 % and 14.5 % higher than CTW in 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively. A decline in rice grain yield of 8.3 % and 8.9 % was recorded under FFP over NE-RDF in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Hence, PDSR followed by ZT+RR coupled with NE-RDF can increase agronomic performance and productivity under RWCS.

Influence of Tree Geometry on Growth and Yield of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) under Gamhar (Gmelina arborea Roxb.) based Agroforestry System

The experiment was conducted during kharif (June to September) 2022–23 at Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India to evaluate effect of Gmelina arborea geometry on the growth and yield of mungbean, tree growth, biomass, carbon storage and assessing the economic feasibility of the agroforestry systems. The experiment was designed for intercropping of one mungbean high yielding varieties viz., IPM 205-7 (Virat) sown in June with Gmelina arborea. The treatments for gamhar and mungbean are as follows: T1-Vigna radiata sole crop; T2-Gmelina arborea sole tree (5×5 m2); T3-Gmelina arborea sole tree (5×4 m2); T4-Gmelina arborea sole tree (5×3 m2); T5-Gmelina arborea (5×5 m2)+Vigna radiata; T6-Gmelina arborea (5×4 m2)+Vigna radiata; T7-Gmelina arborea (5×3 m2)+Vigna radiata. Experiment was designed in randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments and five replications. The effect of different spacing patterns viz., S1-5×5 m2, S2-5×4 m2, S3-5×3 m2 in 2 year old Gamhar plantation with seven treatments combinations on mungbean was studied at the Forestry Research Farm, RLBCAU, Jhansi. The maximum number of branches plant-1 (8.04), number of trifoliate leaves plant-1 (11.96), number of seeds pod-1 (12.32), grain yield (0.73 t ha-1) and straw yield (2.13 t ha-1) was recorded in mungbean sole crop. The plant height (62.51 cm) was recorded highest in mungbean intercrop in 5×3 m2 gamhar spacing. The maximum girth (27.38 cm) of trees was recorded in 5×5 m2 gamhar spacing mungbean intercrop. The tree height (6.01 m) and benefit cost ratio (2.67) was observed maximum in 5×4 m2 gamhar spacing with mungbean intercrop.

Productivity and thermal requirement of fodder oat varieties under different micro-environments in Bihar

A field experiment was carried out at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur during Rabi season, 2021–22. The experiment was conducted using a split plot design with three varieties of fodder oat (Kent, JHO-822 and Local) in main-plots and four different sowing dates (15th November, 25th November, 5th December and 15th December) in sub-plots with three replications. The results obtained from the experiment showed that ‘JHO-822’ recorded 9.4 and 29.5% higher green and dry fodder yield than local variety and accumulated the highest meteorological indices (GDD, HTU and PTU) and resulted in the highest HUE and PTUE. Among different micro-environments, seeding on 15th November recorded the highest green and dry fodder yield with substantially greater values of agro-meteorological indices which decreased with advancement of sowing date. Per day delay in sowing resulted in 0.7% decrease in green fodder yield and 1.2% decrease in dry fodder yield.

Effect of intercropping and zinc management on weed density and fodder yield in oats

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of intercropping and zinc application on weed density and forage yield in the Bundelkhand region during the Rabi season of 2020-2021 at the Research Farm of Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi. The experiment comprised eight treatments with sole cropping of oat (CS1) and intercropping of oat with berseem (CS2)] in the main plot and four nutrient management practices [control (NM1), recommended dose of fertilizers RDF (NM2), recommended dose of fertilizers with zinc sulfate (NM3) and recommended dose of fertilizers with nano zinc (NM4)] in sub-plots in split plot design. The results showed that the weed density (150 m-2) and weed biomass (26.1 g m-2) in CS2 was found significantly lower than CS1 (186 m-2 and 34.5 g m-2, respectively). NM4 treatment had significantly lower weed density (158 m-2) and weed biomass (25.6 g m-2) than NM3 (215 m-2 and 45.13 g m-2) and NM2 (175 m-2 and 25.6 g m-2) among nutrient management practices. Also, intercropping + RDFnZn treatment produced significantly the highest green fodder yield (57.3 t ha-1) when compared to the rest of the treatments

Nitrogen Fertilization Strategies for Forage Maize Genotypes: Agronomic Performance, Nitrogen use Efficiency and Economic Assessment and Deter- mination of Economical N Fertilizer Rate

A field investigation was conducted using factorial experiment in randomized block design with seven genotypes and three nitrogen (N) levels (80, 120 and 160 kg N/ha) with three replications at Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India during kharif season, 2022. The objective of the study was to assess the nitrogen use efficiency, productivity and profitability of forage maize genotypes under different N levels. Among, the genotypes, J-1006 and among N levels, application of 120 kg ha-1 registered the maximum green and dry fodder yield and crude protein yield (CPY). The highest partial factor productivity of N fertilizer (PFPN) was recorded with J-1006 (103.3 kg DM/kg N applied) and application of lowest dose i.e. 80 kg/ha (99.1 kg DM/kg N applied) among genotypes and N levels, respectively. J-1006 (Rs 78109 ha-1 and 3.62) and application of 120 kg N ha-1 (Rs 65716 ha-1 and 3.21) was profitable in terms of net returns and B:C ratio among genotypes and N levels, respectively. The economic optimum dose of N for tested fodder maize genotypes was found to be 139 kg/ha.

Can site-specific nutrient management improve the productivity and resource use efficiency of climate-resilient finger millet in calcareous soils in India?

Finger millet, an important ‘Nutri-Cereal’ and climate-resilient crop, is cultivated as a marginal crop in calcareous soils. Calcareous soils have low organic carbon content, high pH levels, and poor structure. Such a situation leads to poor productivity of the crop. Site-specific nutrient management (SSNM), which focuses on supplying optimum nutrients when a crop is needed, can ensure optimum production and improve the nutrient and energy use efficiency of crops. Moreover, developing an appropriate SSNM technique for this crop could offer new insights into nutrient management practices, particularly for calcareous soils. A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons of 2020 and 2021 in calcareous soil at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, India. The experiment consisted of 8 treatments, viz. control, nitrogen (N)/phosphorus (P)/potassium (K)-omission, 75 %, 100 %, and 125 % recommended fertilizer dose (RFD), and 100 % recommended P and K + 30 kg ha−1 N as basal + rest N as per GreenSeeker readings. From this study, it was observed that the GreenSeeker-based SSNM resulted in the maximum grain yield (2873 kg ha−1), net output energy (96.3 GJ ha−1), and agronomic efficiency of N (30.6 kg kg−1), P (68.9 kg kg−1), and K (68.9 kg kg−1). The application of 125 % RFD resulted in ∼7 % lower yield than that under GreenSeeker-based nutrient management. Approximately 12 % greater energy use efficiency and 21–36 % greater nutrient use efficiency were recorded under GreenSeeker-based nutrient management than under 125 % RDF. The indigenous supplies of N, P, and K were found to be 14.31, 3.00, and 18.51 kg ha−1, respectively. Thus, 100 % of the recommended P and K + 30 kg ha−1 N as basal + rest N according to GreenSeeker readings can improve the yield, nutrient use efficiency, and energy balance of finger millet in calcareous soils.

Effect of IBA and NAA on the Rooting and Vegetative Growth of Hardwood Cuttings in Common Fig (Ficus carica L.)

The present investigation was carried out at Horticultural Nursery of Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University (RLBCAU), Jhansi during the year 2021 to study the effect of different levels of IBA and NAA on the rooting and vegetative growth of hard wood cutting in common fig. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design in eleven treatments with three replications. The treatments comprised of IBA (500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 ppm) and NAA (500, 1000,1500, 2000, 2500 ppm) by quick dip method along with control. The result indicated that IBA (2500 ppm) was found to be best in terms of early sprouting (10.26 days), Sprouted cutting (88.84%), survival % (87.29), number of roots cutting-1(12.35 and 20.86), length of longest root cutting-1 (23.01 cm), length of shoot (12.37 cm and 26.19 cm ), shoot diameter (1.59 cm), number of shoot cutting-1 (1.73 and 2.06) , fresh weight of roots cutting-1 (12.72 g), dry weight of roots cutting-1 (4.75 g) fresh weight of shoot cutting-1 (32.73 g), dry weight of shoot cutting-1 (9.19 g), number of leaves (8.77 and 11.40), leaf size i.e. length and width (14.20 cm and 13.56 cm), fresh weight of plant biomass (45.46 g) and dry weight of plant biomass (13.94 g).

Exploring the Impact of Organic-inorganic Coupling on Nutrient Use Efficiency and Cane Yield in Calcareous Soils of the Indo-gangetic Plains of India

Improving nutrient use efficiency beyond its typical ceiling of 50% is imperative for enhancing sugarcane production and juice quality, while concurrently reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and mitigating environmental impact. To address this challenge, a field experiment was conducted during the year 2021–2022 at the Kalyanpur research farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of integrated nutrient management on sugarcane yield and nutrient utilization efficiency in spring-planted crops like sugarcane. Employing the randomized block design with three replications, the experiment utilized the sugarcane variety CoP-112. Although various treatments exhibited no significant influence on parameters such as germination percentage, plant height, cane length, diameter and individual cane weight, the combination of the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) with vermicompost and biofertilizer (Azotobacter + PSB) at a rate of 4 kg/ha resulted in the highest millable cane (125.4×103/ha) and cane yield (94.0 t/ha). This combination led to an increase of 78% and 24% over the sole prescribed dose of fertilizer and the absolute control, respectively. No substantial differences were observed in juice quality among treatments. The maximum agronomic use efficiency was achieved in plots treated with RDF + vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB, exhibiting a 75% improvement over plots receiving only the recommended dose of fertilizer. The findings underscore the efficacy of integrated nutrient management as the optimal approach for fostering sustainable sugarcane production.

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.

Inducing drought tolerance to rice variety CAU-R1 by the influence of seed priming

Experiments were conducted as pot experiment during the 2019 of kharif seasons to investigate the inducing drought tolerance to rice variety CAU-1 by seed priming at poly house of College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications and six treatments. Seeds were soaked in 1 % and 2 % solutions of KNO3 , CaCl2 , 40 ppm and 50 ppm of salicylic acid for 12 hours. Rice plants were induced to drought by applying mannitol solution (100 mM) at 10 days after emergence (DAE) of seedlings. The results revealed that seeds primed with 2 % KNO3 showed the lowest days to 50 % germination and mean emergence time, maximum number of seedling leave, seedling height, root length, and root biomass. The treatment of 2% KNO3 followed by 50 ppm salicylic acid were found to be superior among other treatments in most of the parameters.

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).