Dry Fodder Yield Research Articles

EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLIED AMINO ACIDS ON GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF OAT (AVENA SATIVA L.)

The progressive study on oat (Avena sativa L.) transpired during the crop season of 2021–2022 at the Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Iraq. The study aimed to determine the effects of amino acids foliar application on two oat cultivars. Experimenting with a randomized complete block design included a split-plot arrangement. Two oat cultivars (Shafa and Genzania) grown and placed in secondary plates received seven treatments of three different amino acids (Control – No amino acid, 50 and 100 mg L-1 of L-Tryptophan, 50 and 100 mg L-1 of L-Glycine, and 50 and 100 mg L-1 of L-Lysine). The results revealed that oat cultivars and amino acid treatments differed significantly for most of the studied traits. The amino acid foliar application treatment of LTryptophan at the rate of 50 mg L-1 showed significant superiority, which boosted and provided the highest rate of flag leaf area, chlorophyll content, crop growth rate, and green fodder yield. However, the cultivar Shafa exhibited superiority for flag leaf area, chlorophyll content, and the green and dry fodder yield, with increased values of 7.15 cm2, 8.11 µg cm-3, and 8.01% and 5.61% t ha-1, respectively.

Genetic diversity analysis of indigenous collection of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] germplasm

Thirty pearl millet landraces along with two male sterile lines were evaluated to estimate the genetic distances and to identify the desired cross combinations for the development of high yielding hybrids. Based on the Mahalanobis’ D2 analysis, the 32 germplasm lines were grouped under eight clusters. A  high range of variation for trait contribution to the total diversity was observed and grain yield (19.14%) contributed the maximum, followed by dry fodder yield (11.69%). Cluster I was the largest with 25 genotypes and the remaining seven were solitary clusters. Clusters VI had a maximum mean performance for most of the traits, followed by clusters III and VIII. The cluster distances among these were also high, hence, the genotypes from these clusters can be used in hybrid development as well as in the development of new inbred lines. Keywords: D2 analysis, clusters, landraces and pearl millet

Exploring invasive weed biochar as soil amendment: A study on fodder oats productivity and soil biological properties

Biochar is known for the improvement of soil health, fertility, crop productivity, and quality in many agro-ecosystems globally, but information regarding fodder yield, quality, and soil microbial activity responses to biochar application remains very limited. The objective of this study was to prepare biochar from invasive weeds, i.e., Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Lantana camara L., and use it as a soil amendment along with inorganic fertilizers for oats (Avena sativa L.) growth, fodder yield, quality, and soil microbial activities in a two-year pot experiment. Treatments were comprised of control, 100% RDF (Recommended dose of fertilizers), 75% RDF along with three doses (2.5, 5.0, and 10 t/ha) of Parthenium hysterophorus L. biochar (PB) and Lantana camara L. biochar (LB), PB (10 t/ha), and LB (10 t/ha). Results showed that application of 75% RDF along with 10 t/ha LB gave significantly higher green (∼8%) and dry (∼7.8%) fodder yield and crude protein (∼6%) and decreased acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) by 5.70 and 6.04% as compared to the 100% RDF treatment. The same treatment had a significantly higher population of bacteria (7.33 × 108 colony forming unit (CFU)/g soil), alkaline phosphatase activity (19.56 μg pNP/g soil/h), microbial biomass carbon (156.67 μg/g soil) and dehydrogenase activity (12.59 μg TPF/g/24 h), whereas the maximum fungal population (13.33 × 104 CFU/g soil) and acid phosphatase activity (14.45 μg pNP/g soil/h) were found in 75% RDF along with 10 t/ha PB and control treatment, respectively. This study concluded that application of invasive weed biochar along with inorganic fertilizers can benefit fodder yield and quality of oats by increasing plant height and number of tillers directly and by improving nutrient availability and water holding capacity (WHC) of soil indirectly, besides improving soil health. The findings from this study will provide a potential strategy for invasive weed management.

Genetic analysis using Griffing’s approach for forage yield and components in sorghum

The present study was carried out using seven parental lines including check CSV 46F and their 21 diallel crosses, excluding reciprocal. The experiment was evaluated in randomised block design with three replications during Kharif 2021 at the Centre for Millets Research, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Deesa. The analysis of variance (mean sum of squares) revealed significant differences for the genotypes, parents, hybrids and parents vs. hybrids among most of the characters, which explained a sufficient amount of heterosis and was reflected in crosses for fodder yield and its attributing characters. The parents SH 1488 and DS 200 recorded maximum mean performance for green forage yield and dry fodder yield per plant. The result of ANOVA for combining ability revealed that the mean sum of squares due to GCA and SCA were found highly significant for studied characters. The ratio ( 2GCA/ 2SCA) of variances for various characters bare standing of non-additive gene action type in the appearance of forage yield and supporting characters. The parent CSV 21F was found to be a good general combiner for green fodder yield per plant. While, parents SH 1488, DS 200 and CSV 21F were found to be good general combiners for dry fodder yield. The parent SSG 59-3 was a very good general combiner for days to flowering, total plant height, stem diameter, crude protein and HCN content. The crosses S 652 × CSV 46F, DS 200 × CSV 21F and SSG 59-3 × S 652 for green fodder yield per plant, while SSG 59-3 × S 652, DS 200 × CSV 21F and SSG 59-3 × CSV 46F for dry fodder yield per plant recorded the highest sca effects. Based on all the genetic parameters, the crosses SSG 59-3 × S 652, SH 1488 × S 652, SH 1488 × DSF 182 and DS 200 × CSV 21F with high mean performance, high sca effects and at least one parent having good to moderate gca effects would increase the frequency of favourable alleles. Therefore, it may be hopeful to select good homozygous lines to ameliorate respective characters in forage sorghum. It can also be used directly in varietal breeding programmes. Keywords: Forage sorghum, Heterosis, GCA, SCA and forage yield.

Response of FYM and Split Application of Nitrogen on Growth and Green Yield of Fodder Maize (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Main Forage Research Station, Anand Agriculture University, Anand (Gujarat) to study the effect of FYM and split application of nitrogen on the growth and yield of fodder maize in loamy sand soil during rabi season of 2021-22. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (factorial) with three replications. There ten treatment combinations comprising two levels of FYM i.e., F1 (No FYM) and F2 (10 t FYM/ha) and five levels of nitrogen split i.e., N1 (Control: Common Practices, 50% Basal + 50% 30 DAS), N2 (20% N at Basal + 80% N in three equal splits), N3 (30% N at Basal + 70% N in three equal splits), N4 (40% N at Basal + 60% N in three equal splits) and N5 (50% N at Basal + 50% N in three equal splits). Application of 10 t FYM/ha were improved the growth, quality and yield attributes like periodical plant height, leaves/plant, leaf-stem ration, green and dry fodder yield, crude protein and dry matter content, NPK content and uptake, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and Netural Detergent Fiber (NDF) as compared to control treatment of fodder maize. Response of FYM on soil EC, pH was found to be non-significant and soil available phosphorus potassium was found significant. Split application of nitrogen (50% N at Basal + 50% N in three equal splits) reported significant response on growth parameters like periodical plant height, number of leaves per plant, green fodder yield and quality parameters like dry matter content, crude protein content, dry fodder yield, crude protein yield, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber of fodder maize. Response of split application of nitrogen on post-harvest soil parameters like pH, EC, organic carbon, available phosphorus and potassium.

Utilization of harvested rainwater for ensuring green-fodder availability in arid Rajasthan

The efficient use and management of natural resources are important factors for success in agricultural farming. An experiment was conducted on round the year fodder production at ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan during 2017–18 to 2019–20 by harvesting rainwater from the rooftop of buildings and irrigating crops using a solar operated water pump though drips and micro-sprinklers for efficient use of harvested water. In the 3 m inter-row spaces of bajra napier hybrid (BNH) variety CO 4, three legumes Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea) and Lablab purpureus (sem) received 40 and 60 kg P/ha, grown as intercrops during the rainy (kharif) season and lucerne in succession on residual P during winter (rabi) season. Among three kharif legumes, significantly higher green (11.19 t/ha) and dry (1.60 t/ha) fodder yields were recorded with cowpea that received 60 kg P/ha. An average 243.97 t/ha green and 37.55 t/ha dry fodder yields was recorded from the system in which share of BNH in green and dry fodder yield was 67.57 and 61.81% respectively. BNH gave 164.85 and 23.21 t/ha green and dry fodder from six cuts, kharif legumes contributed 7.43 t/ha in the green fodder and 1.12 t/ha in dry fodder from a single cut and lucerne produced 71.53 t/ha green and 10.32 t/ha dry fodder from the seven cuts in a year. This system has the capacity to meet out the green fodder requirement of 4–5 adult cattle unit (ACU) round the year from the land unit of 0.1 ha.

Impact of liquid microbial inoculants of Azotobacter sp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia on soil fertility and productivity-cum-economics of cluster beans

ABSTRACT Liquid microbial inoculants (LMIs) can play a paramount role in integrated nutrient management as these are renewable and eco-friendly sources of plant nutrition. Here, we evaluated the impact of LMIs, such as of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Azotobacter sp., on the growth and yield parameters of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.). The bacterial culture, S. maltophilia, was isolated from the nodules of cluster bean and identified by sequencing the 16SrRNA gene. On applying LMIs and 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (T7), a significant improvement in plant height, dry fodder yield and seed yield was observed. Besides, there was a ~ 10% increase in all the other growth and yield attributes, such as no. of branches, no. of pods, pod length, no. of grains per pod, and 1000-grain weight. The increase in seed yield and dry fodder yield with T7 over the T1 (RDF) was 16% and 19%, respectively. Moreover, the total energy output of different treatments as computed from the main products ranged from 69,973.5 to 82,490.1 MJha−1. This might be due to higher seed and dry fodder yield with LMIs. The different LMI treatments increased the net returns of cluster beans over the control (T7, US$ 527.91). The soil analysis revealed the improvement in macro (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) by 10–20% after the LMI treatments. Thus, priming seeds with LMIs could be an effective strategy to stimulate the growth of cluster beans without compromising the soil fertility.

Effect of Different Varieties, Nitrogen Levels and Cutting Management on Yield and Its Attributes of Fodder Bajra (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

Aims: To identify an ideal pearl millet variety under ideal nitrogen level and cutting management for high green fodder yield and dry fodder yield.
 Study Design: Factorial Randomized block design.
 Place and Duration of Study: AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization, Agricultural Research Institute, from July 2021 and Nov 2021.
 Methodology: Field experiment was conducted at AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization, ARI, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during kharif 2021. The treatments consisted of three varieties (TSFB 15-4, TSFB 15-8 and Moti bajra), three nitrogen levels (80, 100 and 120 kg N ha-1) and two cutting management practices (C1: Two cuts: 1st at 60 days after sowing (DAS), 2nd cut at 50% flowering) (C2: Three cuts: 1st at 50 days after sowing (DAS), 2nd cut at 35 days after 1st cut and 3rd cut at 50% flowering) laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept, with Factor (A) as varieties, Factor (B) as nitrogen levels and Factor (C) as cutting management with three replications. The soil was sandy loam in texture with pH of 7.0 low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and available potassium.
 Results: Variety TSFB 15-8 recorded significantly higher plant height (67.2 cm) and leaf-stem ratio (0.4) green forage yield (821.1 q ha-1), dry fodder yield (198.4 q ha-1)respectively, but Moti bajra variety was recorded highest number of tillers m-2 (4.5).Application of nitrogenat the rate of 120 kgha-1 significantly recorded highest plant height (72.0 cm), number of tillers m-2 (4.7) and leaf-stem ratio (0.4), green forage yield (817.7 q ha-1), dry fodder yield (201.0 q ha-1). Three cuts for green fodder recorded significantly higher plant height (65.9 cm), number of tillers (5.1) and leaf-stem ratio (0.5) green fodder yield(910.0 q ha-1), dry fodder yield (216.4 q ha-1) compared to two cuts.
 Conclusion: Variety TSFB 15-8 with nitrogen level of 120 kg N ha-1 at C2 found suitable and economical for cultivation in southern Telangana zone.

Microirrigation and establishment methods for water use studies, fodder yields and postharvest available nutrients on Bajranapier hybrid grass [CO (BN) 5

The availability of quality fodder is becoming a major concern in India. To address this, a field experiment was conducted on bajranapier hybrid grass CO (BN) 5 (Interspecific hybrid between Cumbu (Pennisetum glaucum) and Napier (P. Purpureum Schumach) during 2018-19 in strip plot design with 3 replications. Treatment comprises of main plot viz., Irrigation methods sub plot viz., Crop establishment methods. The results showed that in water use studies, higher WUE (23.74 t/ha/mm) was recorded with sbsurface drip irrigation. Similarly, higher water productivity (WP) (0.024 t/m3) and economic WP (474.78 ₹/ha/mm) were also with the same. In crop establishment methods, horizontal planting of setts with settling treatment recorded higher WUE (21.47 t/ha/mm), WP (0.021 t/m3) and economic WP (429.43 ₹/ha/mm). Significantly higher (0.05 %) green (335.0 t/ha/year) and dry fodder yields (71 t/ha/year) were registered with subsurface drip irrigation (M3). In crop establishment, horizontal planting of setts with settling treatment (S2) registered higher green (331.5 t/ha/year) and dry (71.4 t/ha/year) fodder yields.On postharvest soil available nutrients, higher N (172.3 kg/ha), P (22.2 kg/ha) and K (591.5 kg/ha) were observed with surface irrigation. Vertical planting of setts without settling treatment recorded higher N (172.1 kg/ha), P (23.3 kg/ha) and K (604.8 kg/ha). By adopting this subsurface drip irrigation with horizontal planting of setts with sett treatment, the bajranapier hybrid grass cultivation can be optimized for the betterment of cultivation.

Yield and economics of late sown Rabi fodders with different plant stands and nutrient support in Jharkhand

A field experiment was conducted at Forage Research field under BAU, Ranchi (Jharkhand) to utilize the rice-fallow land under late sown condition.Finding showed that, Rabi fodder viz Oat, Rye grass and Berseem grown with 25 per cent more seeds or plant population and fertilized with 50 per cent more nitrogen than their respective doses recorded better growth and yield than lower levels of plant density and nitrogen levels. In Oat, Rye grass & Berseem the more Green fodder yield (GFY 353.61, 282.63 & 430.61 q ha-1), Dry fodder yield (DFY 113.7, 57.52 & 79.69 q ha-1) and per day productivity (3.21, 2.57 & 3.91 q ha-1day-1) were observed. Maximum gross return (₹.1, 29,184 ha-1), Net return (₹. 94,589 only) and profitability Rs. 860 ha-1 day-1 were recorded under Berseem sown with 125 per cent recommended seed rate at 150 per cent RDN.

Heterosis for grain yield contributing traits in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

The general expectation of the pearl millet farmers is mainly focused on level of superiority of newly released hybrids than the local standard hybrids, which is grown widely. Hence, the standard check RHB-173, RHB-177 and MPMH-17 were used as standard hybrid. The hybrid namely RMS-7 × RIB-3135-18 expressed highest significant standard heterotic value for grain yield per plant and fourassociated traits out of nine studied traits including dry fodder yield per plot also showed positive significant standard heterosis. Similarly, another hybrid namely RMS-7 × RIB-16296 showed highest significant standard heterosis for dry fodder yield per plot. The showed cross combination, viz. ICMA-00444 × RIB-16S/110, ICMA-00111 × RIB-494, ICMA-00444 × RIB-16296 and ICMA-00444 × RIB-16328 were good for other studied traits. At the end, among 100 hybrids studied, one hybrid, viz. RMS-7 × RIB-3135-18 was selected as best cross since, it expressed high significant standard heterosis over best check for many of the traits including grain yield and dryfodder yield and may have potential to replace old cultivar in the future.

GGE biplot analysis for identification of ideal cultivars and testing locations of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.R. Br.) for peninsular India

Pearl millet is a climate resilient crop grown by resource poor farmers. Identification of the ideal genotypes for broad and specific adaptation and ideal locations for testing in peninsular India (classified as B-zone) will address the needs of farmers and researchers working in this region. In the present study, performance of eight hybrids and four varieties over seven locations across three rainy seasons (2017-2019) was investigated using GGE biplot analysis. Location attributed higher proportion (59.3–89.9%) of the variation for eight traits, while genotype and genotype×environment interaction accounted for 57 to 65% of total variability for grain and dry fodder yields. The hybrids 86M86, KSB and NBH5061 are identified as ideal genotypes for cultivation across B-zone. Majority of the testing locations were highly correlated with Vijayapura, which is most discriminative and representative location. ‘Which-won where’ study partitioned the testing locations into two mega-environments: first with four locations with 86M01 as winning genotype and second encompassed three locations with KSB as the winning genotype. The Vijayapura, Ananthapuram and Dhule locations were identified for initial testing of genotypes. Hybrid advantage over varieties for grain and fodder yields was clearly observed from the study.

Chickpea performance influenced by inorganic fertilizer, biofertilizers and micronutrients and their residual effects on succeeding fodder sorghum

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Derol during the rabi and summer seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 to determine the effect of inorganic fertilizer, biofertilizers, and micronutrients, as well as their interactions, on chickpea growth, yield attributes, and yield, as well as their residual effect on succeeding fodder sorghum.Results indicated that fertilizer levels treatment F3i.e., 100 % RDF (25-50 kg NP ha-1)had significant influence on growth and yield attributing characters like plant height,number of branches plant-1,number of nodules plant-1, number of pods plant-1and also on seed and straw yields of chickpea as compared to treatments F2 (75 % RDF), F1(50 % RDF) and F0 (Control).The residual effect of treatment F3 (100% RDF) had also significantinfluenceon the green fodder yield, dry fodder yield and crude protein content of succeeding fodder sorghum.When compared to B0 (control), the biofertilizers treatment B1 (PSB + Rhizobium @ 5 ml kg-1 seed each) produced significantly higher growth, yield, and yield of chickpea.Application of micronutrients treatment M1(Micronutrient mixture grade-V @ 20 kg ha-1) produced significantly highernumber of branches plant-1, number of nodules plant-1number of pod plant-1, seed yield and straw yield as compared to untreated control (M0).Treatment combination F3B1M1 produced significantly the highest 85 nodules plant-1, number of pods plant-1, seed and straw yields of chickpea, but it was statistically at par with treatment combination F2B1M1 during both the years and on pooled basis.

Elucidation of gene action and combining ability for grain and forage yield and contributing traits in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

The present investigation was undertaken to achieve information on gene action and combining ability in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The experimental material consisted of eleven parents and their 28 Line × Tester crosses. The evaluation was carried out during Kharif, 2020 at Sorghum Research Station, S. D. Agricultural University, Deesa. The ratio of σ2D/σ2H being more than unity was found for days to flowering, which suggested a more significant role of additive genetic variance in the inheritance of this trait. In contrast, the rest of the yield and its component traits showed non-additive genetic variance. The gca effects indicated that parents, SR 3019, CSV 31 and GJ 43 were found as good general combiners for grain yield per plant. While, parents DS 156, CSV 31 and SPV 2682 were good general combiners for dry fodder yield per plant and its contributing traits. Based on estimates of sca effects, the most promising hybrids for grain yield per plant were viz., SR 2980 × CSV 31, SR 3019 × SPV 2573 and DSF 117 × SPV 2682, whereas for dry fodder yield per plant were viz.,SR 3048 × CSV 31, GJ 43 × SPV 2573 and DSF 168 × SPV 2573. The good general combiners for yield and contributing traits can be utilized in intensive crossing programme and select transgressive segregants for desired characters in segregating generations to develop superior lines. Keywords: L × T analysis, Gene action, combining ability, Grain yield, Dry fodder yield

Soil microbial and enzymatic responses to various sources of potassium in fodder maize and sugargraze

The field experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2018 at NDRI, Karnal to study the influence of various sources of potassium on soil microbial population, enzymatic activities and yield of fodder crops. The experiment was laid out in the split-plot design with 16 treatment combinations and replicated thrice. In the main plot treatment, two fodder crops, viz., maize (Zea mays) and sugargraze (Sorghum bicolor L. × Sweet sorghum × Sorghum sudanese L.), were included while potassium treatments were executed under subplot treatment. The results revealed that, application of K50 + KSB + 2% KNO3 had a significant influence on biomass production and 30.3 and 22.4% green and dry fodder yield, enhancement was recorded over control. Soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was not significantly affected by fodder maize and sugargraze crops at 30 DAS and harvest. However, potassium application had significant influence on soil MBC and a higher values (167 and 185 µg/g dry soil) were recorded with K25 + KSB + 2% KNO3 treatment at 30 DAS and harvest over control, respectively. The soil enzymatic activities dehydrogenase (17.4 and 21.9 µg TPF/g soil/day) and phosphatase (55.4 and 72.8 µg PNP/g soil/hr.) and microbial population counts viz., bacteria (17.12 × 106 and 27.45 × 106 CFU/g soil), actinomycetes (28.2 × 105 and 36.2 × 105 CFU/g soil) and fungi (12.8 × 105 and 18.3 × 105 CFU/g soil) were also remarkably influenced with potassium treatments and found significantly higher at 30 DAS and harvest respectively over control under application of K25 + KSB + 2%.

Soil microbial and enzymatic responses to various sources of potassium in fodder maize and sugargraze

The field experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2018 at NDRI, Karnal to study the influence of various sources of potassium on soil microbial population, enzymatic activities and yield of fodder crops. The experiment was laid out in the split-plot design with 16 treatment combinations and replicated thrice. In the main plot treatment, two fodder crops, viz., maize (Zea mays) and sugargraze (Sorghum bicolor L. × Sweet sorghum × Sorghum sudanese L.), were included while potassium treatments were executed under subplot treatment. The results revealed that, application of K50 + KSB + 2% KNO3 had a significant influence on biomass production and 30.3 and 22.4% green and dry fodder yield, enhancement was recorded over control. Soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was not significantly affected by fodder maize and sugargraze crops at 30 DAS and harvest. However, potassium application had significant influence on soil MBC and a higher values (167 and 185 µg/g dry soil) were recorded with K25 + KSB + 2% KNO3 treatment at 30 DAS and harvest over control, respectively. The soil enzymatic activities dehydrogenase (17.4 and 21.9 µg TPF/g soil/day) and phosphatase (55.4 and 72.8 µg PNP/g soil/hr.) and microbial population counts viz., bacteria (17.12 × 106 and 27.45 × 106 CFU/g soil), actinomycetes (28.2 × 105 and 36.2 × 105 CFU/g soil) and fungi (12.8 × 105 and 18.3 × 105 CFU/g soil) were also remarkably influenced with potassium treatments and found significantly higher at 30 DAS and harvest respectively over control under application of K25 + KSB + 2%.

Productivity and quality enhancement in fodder maize (Zea mays) cultivars through nutrient management strategies

The present study has been carried out in kharif 2018 and 2019 at ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, with three maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars (V1: African Tall, V2: J-1006; V3: P-3396) and four nutrient management strategies (N0: Control; N1: 100% RDF; N2: 75% RDF + PGPR + Panchagavya spray; N3: 50% RDF + 25% FYM + PGPR + Panchagavya spray) using split plot design. Results revealed that maize cv. J-1006 and African Tall produced significantly high and low dry fodder yield, respectively. Significantly high crude protein (CP), ether extracts (EE) and total ash (TA) yields were recorded with J-1006 during both years. In comparison of nutrient management strategies, the application of 75% RDF + PGPR + Panchagavya spray (N2) recorded significantly high dry fodder, CP, EE and TA yields. The foliar spray of Panchagavya along with reduced dose of chemical fertilizers, PGPR and/ or FYM (N2 and N3) to fodder maize significantly reduced the fibre fractions and improved the nutritive values/ energy (DMI, DMD, TDN and NEl). Our results suggest that selection of J-1006 cultivar and application of 75% RDF + PGPR + Panchagavya spray (N2) enhances fodder productivity, quality and reduces the fibre fractions.

Integrated weed management in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

The scarcity of labour in agriculture and change in behaviour, weed management in rain fed pearl millet is very difficult. Further, to improve/ fine tune the existing recommendation of weed management in pearl millet, this experiment was planned. A field experiment was carried out during the rainy (Kharif) seasons of 2012 to 2014 in sandy loam soils at ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Pearl Millet, Research Farm, Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, Jodhpur (Agriculture University, Jodhpur), to evaluate the effect of integrated weed management in rainfed pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) with pre-emergence application of atrazine 0.5 kg/ha + 1 HW at 35 DAS, four levels of post-emergence application of atrazine (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 kg/ ha) along with one hand weeding at 35 DAS, two hand weeding and hoeing (at 20 and 40 DAS). Eight treatment combinations were laid out in randomized block design in four replications. All weed management practices caused significant improvement in grain and dry fodder yield of pearl millet compared to the weedy check (1943 kg/ha and 30.86 q/ha). The best treatment was found weed free and it was followed by post emergence application of Atrazine @ 0.4 kg/ha. In comparison to the weed dry matter recorded at harvest with weedy check (547.1 kg/ha), all weed management practices recorded quite lower dry matter of weeds and were found to be at par in managing weeds compared to the weed free plot. Efficiency of post emergence application of Atrazine @ 0.2,0.3 and 0.4 kg/ha was found more better in controlling weeds than the recommended practice of managing weeds by pre emergence application of Atrazine. Weed control efficiency were also found higher in weed free and it was followed by two hand weeding and post emergence application of Atrazine @ 0.4 kg treatments, respectively.

Production potential, quality and soil health of newly introduced baby corn as influenced by best management practices in eastern Himalayas

Management of the newly introduced short duration and high economic value crops like baby corn in acidic soil is poorly understood and related information is scarce in particular to eastern India. Keeping these things in view, a field study was conducted during the two consecutive winter seasons (2013–2014 and 2014–2015) to assess the effect of best management practices (application of straw mulch, doses of lime and integrated nutrition) on production potential, quality and soil health in baby corn under the acidic soil of eastern Himalaya. Yields, economics and quality of baby corn were increased significantly with application of straw mulch @ 5 t ha−1 as compared to without mulch. Yield of baby corn increases with increasing levels of liming up to 1.0 t ha−1. Also, higher quality parameters were noted in same treatment. Application of 1.0 t lime ha−1 also improved the soil fertility status after crop harvest. Baby cob, baby corn, green fodder and dry fodder yields was significantly higher with 100% RDF + 25% RDF (through farm yard manures as organic nitrogen ON). This treatment also improved nitrogen content, their uptake and protein content in baby corn, cob husk and green fodder compared to control. Economic parameters were significantly higher with applications of 100% RDF + 25% RDF (ON). Higher doses of integrated nutrition [100% RDF + 25% RDF (ON)] also enhanced the soil health. Thus, it may be concluded that baby corn should be grown with straw mulching and integrated nutrition of 100% RDF + 25% RDF (ON) along with liming of 1.0 t ha−1 to achieve the higher productivity, quality and soil health under acidic soil of eastern Himalaya.

Genetic diversity analysis in post rainy sorghum landraces and identification of rabi adaptive traits specific genotypes

Assessment of genetic diversity among sorghum landraces is essential for their efficient utilization in plant breeding. In the present study, 203 sorghum landrace accessions were phenotyped for two rabi growing seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18 in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Among the traits investigated, plant height was found more variable followed by dry fodder yield per plant, panicle weight per plant and grain yield per plant. The highest PCV and GCV was shown by dry fodder yield per plant (41.36 and 35.22 %), panicle weight per plant (38.49 and 32.84 %), grain yield per plant (36.30 and 27.95) and panicle length (33.06 and 29.81), respectively. The PCA revealed three important principal components correlated with grain yield per plant, panicle length and plant height that accounted for 70.30% of the total variation. The maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster IV and V. Cluster VII had the highest mean value for grain and fodder yield.Â