Dryland Agriculture Research Station Research Articles

DUS Characterization of Rajmash (Phaseolus vulgare L.) Genotypes for Morpho-physiological Traits under Rainfed Conditions

Background: The current investigation was carried out in the year 2021-22 at Dryland Agriculture Research Station (DARS), Budgam. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications in field and completely randomized design (CRD) in vitro conditions for evaluating different traits of genotypes. DUS characterization was conducted as per the DUS testing guidelines by Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Act, Authority, Descriptors for rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) GOI, New Delhi [reproduced from Plant Variety Journal of India. Vol.1 (1), 2007]. Methods: The observations were recorded on 18 DUS characters including morphological and quality attributes and physiological characters. For all the features studied, the analysis of variance for morpho-physiological and qualitative attributes found significant differences, providing adequate chance to select the genotypes with desired qualities. DUS traits were examined in accordance with the descriptor, “state” and “code” provided for each character. Result: The observed range of variation were recorded for different traits for different genotypes. Cluster analysis for morphological, maturity, yield and quality characteristics arranged the rajmash genotypes into 11 clusters, as per Mahalanobis D2 analysis using Tocher’s method with cluster III having the maximum number of genotypes (8), followed by cluster I, II, IV and V with 6 genotypes, 2 genotypes were grouped in cluster VII and XI and the remaining clusters with 1 genotype each. Diversity analysis showed grouping of genotypes in 11 clusters, which will help in selection of genetically divergent parents for exploitation in hybridization programme and would constitute an essential gene pool for future breeding programme.

Assessment of DUS Traits in Rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Genotypes: A Comprehensive Study on Genetic Diversity and Morphological Characteristics

The study was conducted at Dry Land Agriculture Research Station (DARS), Rangreth, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India aimed to comprehensively assess 40 genotypes, alongside 5 checks, for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) characterization. Employing an Augmented Block Design in the field in kharif season of April-August, 2022 and a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) in the laboratory from September–March 2023, the genotypes underwent evaluation for 21 DUS traits and 43 morphological, maturity, yield and quality traits. The evaluation followed descriptors specific to rajmash genotypes, utilizing frequency distribution based on “state” and “code” for each trait. The results indicated that majority of genotypes exhibited early flowering (<50 days), with 91% displaying an absence of anthocyanin coloration. Erect plant types were prevalent (51.11%), with 51% and 60% being viny and determinate, respectively. Most genotypes featured medium-sized, light green, ovate leaves (46.66%, 53%, and 22%, respectively). White-colored flowers (48.88%) with striped petal surfaces (57.77%) and medium curvature (40.00%) were predominant. Seed-related traits, such as cordate pod shapes (51%) and concave pod sutures (50%), along with acute pod distal shapes (69%), were observed. Pale green pods (57.77%) and 76% of genotypes exhibiting pod stringiness were noted. Seed shapes were mainly kidney-shaped (60%), and absent pigmentation in pod shells (73%) was observed. Large-sized seeds (40%) with dark red testa color (44%) were common, and seed testa variegation was “absent” in 75.55% of genotypes.

Production of organic Saffron (Crocus sativus) using biofertilizer and vermicompost

An experiment was conducted at SKUAST-Kashmir during 2018–19 and field trials were conducted at Dryland Agriculture research Station of SKUAST-K and Saffron Research Station, Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir. Results of the present investigation revealed that application of vermicompost, biofertilizer alone or in combination were beneficial in increasing commercial production of saffron. It encouraged more blossoms, which directly influenced the yield of saffron in both locations. At the Dryland Agriculture Research Station, SKUAST-Kashmir application of Azotobacter @11.5 g + 115 g sand + recommended dose of vermicompost of FYM recorded highest number of flowers/plot (139), fresh flower weight (40.10g), and pistil weight (1.17g), followed by treatment level T6 (Azotobacter @11.5 g + 115 g sand + recommended dose of vermicompost of kitchen waste), similar T10 (Azospirillum @11.5 g + 115 g sand + suggested amount of FYM vermicompost). Similar trends in the results were seen at the Pampore Saffron Research Station. Significant changes between treatments for all the features were found in the analysis of variance for the floral and corm properties. For all features, with the exception of the number of flowers, flower weight, and corm weight, location impacts were also significant.

Comparative Analysis of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Chemical Fertilizers on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Rainfed Wheat

The indiscriminate use of hazardous chemical fertilizers can be reduced by applying eco-friendly smart farming technologies, such as biofertilizers. The effects of five different types of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), including Fla-wheat (F), Barvar-2 (B), Nitroxin (N1), Nitrokara (N2), and SWRI, and their integration with chemical fertilizers (50% and/or 100% need-based N, P, and Zn) on the quantitative and qualitative traits of a rainfed wheat cultivar were investigated. Field experiments, in the form of randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications, were conducted at the Qamloo Dryland Agricultural Research Station in Kurdistan Province, Iran, in three cropping seasons (2016–2017, 2017–2018, and 2018–2019). All the investigated characteristics of rainfed wheat were significantly affected by the integrated application of PGPR chemical fertilizers. The grain yield of treated plants with F, B, N1, and N2 PGPR plus 50% of need-based chemical fertilizers was increased by 28%, 28%, 37%, and 33%, respectively, compared with the noninoculated control. Compared with the noninoculated control, the grain protein content was increased by 0.54%, 0.88%, and 0.34% through the integrated application of F, N1, and N2 PGPR plus 50% of need-based chemical fertilizers, respectively. A combination of Nitroxin PGPR and 100% of need-based chemical fertilizers was the best treatment to increase the grain yield (56%) and grain protein content (1%) of the Azar-2 rainfed wheat cultivar. The results of this 3-year field study showed that the integrated nutrient management of PGPR-need-based N, P, and Zn chemical fertilizers can be considered a crop management tactic to increase the yield and quality of rainfed wheat and reduce chemical fertilization and subsequent environmental pollution and could be useful in terms of sustainable rainfed crop production.

Genetic Diversity Analysis in Maize Landraces under Temperate Ecology

Background: Though modern high yielding and synthetics developed through maize heterosis are replacing low-yielding maize populations worldwide, it has shown little impact in Kashmir due to poor adaptability and expensive seed cost. Nevertheless, retaining popularity due to adaptability, more resistance to natural factors, early maturity, good grain quality, great food and fodder value and ability to thrive best under low input conditions, landraces are going out of farmer’s domain and becoming extinct owing to low yielding potential, low resilience to some biotic stresses and lower sensitivity to inputs. For developing high yielding, climate-resilient cultivars and broadening of the genetic base, efficient and rapid identification and introgression of novel and favourable alleles dispersed among the landraces are necessary. Methods: Seventy maize landraces from different parts of Kashmir valley designated as K-L1 to K-L70 were subjected to genetic analysis for thirteen important agronomic traits viz. days to 50% tasselling, days to 50% silking, anthesis-silking interval, plant height, ear height, days to maturity, ear diameter, kernel rows per ear, kernels per row, prolificacy, shelling percentage, yield per hectare and 100-grain weight. The least significance increase was calculated to evaluate best performing landraces and clustering of landraces was done using Mahalanobis D2 analysis through Tocher’s method. The experimentation was carried out at Dryland Agriculture Research Station Budgam during the years 2019 and 2020. Result: Significant differences for all agronomic traits except anthesis-silking interval and prolificacy depicted the presence of significant genetic variability. The least significant increase calculations allowed the evaluation of best-performing landraces for specific traits and Mahalanobis D2 analysis through Tocher’s method led to clustering landraces into 14 clusters with cluster I having the highest 23, followed by cluster VI with 14, cluster II and cluster III each with 9, cluster VIII with 6 genotypes and rest 9 clusters being mono-genotypic. Intra and inter-clustering distance and cluster means suggest utilizing genotypes belonging to clusters with wider statistical distances for crossing in hybridization programme to produce segregates with extensive variation resulting in higher heterosis.

Standard Heterosis for Grain Yield and its Attributing Traits in Early Maturing Maize Hybrids

The present study was conducted at the research farm of Dryland Agriculture Research Station, SKUAST-Kashmir during the kharif of 2019. Range of heterosis was calculated over standard check. The most desirable cross combinations viz., KDM-440 x KDM-914A (-5.879), KDM-440 x V-335 (-4.468), KDM-930 x V-351(-4.165), KDM-927A x V-335 (-3.986), CML-470 x KDM-914A (-3.808) for days to maturity, KDM-347 x V-351 (4.967) CML-470 x KDM-914A (4.610), CML-474 × V-351(-4.396), KDM-927 A x V-351 (-3.110), KDM-930 x V 335 (2.896) for number of kernel rows per cob, KDM-347 x V-351(-7.544), KDM-440 x V-351 (6.438), KDM-916A x KDM-914 A(6.117), CML-470 × V-351(5.992), CML-474 x V-335 (5.274) for number of kernels per row, KDM-340 x V-351 (3.966), KDM340 x KDM-914A (3.150), KDM-930 x V-351(3.165), KDM-440 x KDM-914 (3.556), KDM-347 x V-351(3.324) for 100-grain weight, KDM-347 x V351 (34.197), KDM-440 x V335 (28.933), CML470 x KDM-914A (29.380), KDM-895 x KDM914A (25.383), KDM927A x KDM-914A (19.549) for grain yield per plant were observed in the present study. The range of heterosis over standard check for days to maturity from -3.796 (CML-425 × KDM-914A) to (2.414) CML-474 × KDM-914A. The extent of heterosis for number of kernel rows per ear over standard check ranged from CML-470 x V-335(28.576) to KDM-916A × V -335(-2.143), for quantity of kernels per row maximum well known heterosis ranged from CML-470 × V-351 (19.079) to KDM-347 × V-351 (-15.132), for 100- grain weight, heterosis ranged from 22.3% for CML-470 x KDM-914 A to -3.5% for KDM-916A × V-335. For grain yield per plant, heterosis ranged from 61.9% for CML-470 x K DM-914 A to 9.3% for KDM916A x V-335. Standard heterosis for crosses CML -470 × KDM-914 A, CML-474 × V-351, KDM-440 × V-335 should be tested for multilocation to make valid conclusion related to their use in commercial maize cultivation.

Influence of Plant Growth Regulators and Micronutrients on Growth, Yield and Quality of Sorghum under Temperate Conditions

A field experiment was conducted at Dry land Agricultural Research Station, Rangreth, Srinagar, SKUAST-K in Kharif 2020 to study the effect of Plant Growth Regulators and micronutrients on growth, yield and quality of sorghum. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of Plant Growth Regulators and micronutrients on herbage yield and quality. The treatments included; T1: Tricontanol 10 ppm at 30 DAS (foliar spray), T2: Salicylic acid 100 ppm at 30 DAS (foliar spray), T3: 5 kg Zn/ha soil application, T4: 2 kg B/ha soil application, T5: 5 kg Zn + 2 kg B/ha soil application, T6: 5 kg Zn/ha (soil application ) + Triacontanol 10 ppm at 30 DAS (foliar spray), T7: 5 kg Zn/ha (soil application) + salicylic acid 100 ppm at 30 DAS (foliar spray), T8: 2 kg B/ha (soil application) + Triacontanol 10 ppm at 30 DAS (foliar spray), T9: 2 kg B/ha (soil application )+ salicylic acid 100 ppm at 30 DAS (foliar spray), T10: 5 kg Zn + 2 kg B/ha (soil application) + Triacontanol 10 ppm at 30 DAS (foliar spray), T11: 5 kg Zn + 2 kg B/ha (soil application) + salicylic acid 100 ppm at 30 DAS (foliar spray) and T12: Water spray at the time of PGR application. Zn and B were applied at the time of sowing in the soil. The crop was raised with recommended package of practices. In treatments, where zinc was not a treatment, an amount of sulphur through gypsum equivalent to sulphate supplied with 5 kg ZnSO4 was applied to compensate. The crop was sown in 30.0 cm apart lines. The trial was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The results indicated that all the treatments improved the green fodder yield over control. Among different treatments, T10: 5 kg Zn + 2 kg B/ha soil application + Triacontanol 10 ppm at 30 DAS foliar spray and T11: 5 kg Zn + 2 kg B/ha soil application + salicylic acid 100 ppm at 30 DAS foliar spray produced maximum GFY (493.6 and 490.5q/ha) on locational mean basis. It was significantly superior to other treatments. These treatments improved the green fodder yields by 35.0 % and 34.2 %, respectively, over control (spray of water). In terms of dry matter, similar trend was noted and the improvement with T10 and T11 was to the tune of 36.8 % and 41.0 % over control. Tricontanol 10 ppm at 30 DAS (foliar spray) (T1) improved the green fodder yield and dry fodder yield by 13.6% and 14.3 % respectively over T12Water spray at the time of Plant Growth Regulator application. Similarly spray of T2: Salicylic acid 100 ppm at 30 DAS (foliar spray) improved the green fodder yield and dry fodder yield by 14.4% and 15.4% respectively over T12Water spray at the time of Plant Growth Regulator application. Similar trend was observed with respect to quality parameters (crude protein content and crude protein yield) of sorghum.

Precision Nitrogen Management for Enhancing Yield and Quality of Fodder Maize

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2020 at Dry land Agriculture Research Station, Rangreth, Srinagar, Kashmir on Precision Nitrogen Management for enhancing fodder yield and nitrogen use efficiency in forage maize variety SFM-1 (KDFM-1) planted in a spacing of 30 x10 cm. The treatments consisted of T1 (No N), T2 50 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on SPAD meter critical value of 40, T3 50 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on SPAD meter critical value of 50, T4 50 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on LCC 4, T5 50 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on LCC 5, T6 100 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on SPAD meter critical value of 40, T7 100 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on SPAD meter critical value of 50, T8 100 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on LCC 4, T9 100 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on LCC 5, T10 150 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on SPAD meter critical value of 40, T11 150 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on SPAD meter critical value of 50, T12 150 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on LCC 4, T13150 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on LCC 5, T14 As per recommended package of practices (50% N as basal, remaining 50% at 30 days after sowing).The treatments were replicated thrice in a randomized block design. The results recorded during the year indicated that production of fodder maize was better with the treatment T13 (150 kg N/ha (40% N basal) + remaining based on LCC 5. It recorded 470.01 q green and 135.02 q dry matter yield per hectare. The growth parameters namely; plant height; number of leaves per plant and quality were also improved with this treatment as compared to other treatments.

Identification for surrogate drought tolerance in maize inbred lines utilizing high-throughput phenomics approach.

Screening for drought tolerance requires precise techniques like phonemics, which is an emerging science aimed at non-destructive methods allowing large-scale screening of genotypes. Large-scale screening complements genomic efforts to identify genes relevant for crop improvement. Thirty maize inbred lines from various sources (exotic and indigenous) maintained at Dryland Agriculture Research Station were used in the current study. In the automated plant transport and imaging systems (LemnaTec Scanalyzer system for large plants), top and side view images were taken of the VIS (visible) and NIR (near infrared) range of the light spectrum to capture phenes. All images were obtained with a thermal imager. All sensors were used to collect images one day after shifting the pots from the greenhouse for 11 days. Image processing was done using pre-processing, segmentation and flowered by features’ extraction. Different surrogate traits such as pixel area, plant aspect ratio, convex hull ratio and calliper length were estimated. A strong association was found between canopy temperature and above ground biomass under stress conditions. Promising lines in different surrogates will be utilized in breeding programmes to develop mapping populations for traits of interest related to drought resilience, in terms of improved tissue water status and mapping of genes/QTLs for drought traits.

Effects of crop residue mulch and seedbed preparation methods on soil properties and rainfed groundnut production in Alfisols of semi‐arid India

AbstractDecreased frequency but greater intensity of rainfall in semi‐arid India severely affects growth and the yield of rainfed annual food crops, where there is no other source of water, leading to moisture stress during protracted dry spells. As Indian farmers growing rainfed crops are small landholders, their better option is in situ rainwater harvesting. This ensures moisture storage and increases soil moisture available to rainfed crops with less‐costly investment. Accordingly, a field investigation was established over 2011, 2012 and 2013 at the Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Chettinad, India. We studied the effects of seedbed preparation method (SBPM) and mulching with crop residues (CRM) on soil physicochemical properties, growth, yield and yield attributes of groundnut. Greater soil moisture content was measured under compartmental bunding (CB) and raised bed (RB) with CRM than under flatbed (FB). Soil bulk density was considerably smaller under CB and RB with CRM (1.36 and 1.37 Mg m−3) compared with FB (1.39 Mg m−3). Soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) was larger under CB and RB with CRM (563 and 542 mg kg−1 soil, respectively) than FB with and without CRM. RB with CRM application contained more soil organic carbon (SOC) stock (3.1 Mg ha−1) than FB. CB with CRM resulted in larger groundnut yield (1,604 kg ha−1) and rainwater use efficiency (5.8 kg ha−1 mm−1) than the FB with and without CRM; RB and RF with CRM were intermediate. The ideal seedbed preparation for groundnut crop in Alfisol under semi‐arid conditions was compartmental bunding (CB) and raised bed (RB) along with CRM.

Xenia studies in exotic and indigenous almond (Prunus amygdalus L.) varieties of Kashmir, India

Pollination is very important to obtain an economic yield, and the selection of pollinizer with suitable quality and quantity of pollen is an essential practice in different fruit plants. The effects of pollen parent on kernel and nut characters are known to occur in several nut crops and to determine the best pollinizer and effect of pollen source on the nut and kernel quality of almond (Prunus amygdalus L.). The present investigation was carried out at the experiment farm of Dryland Agriculture Research Station (DARS), SKUAST-Kashmir for two consecutive years, i.e. 2008 and 2009. Various cross combinations were made among nine almond (three exotic and six indigenous) varieties/selections which are compatible with each other. Their nut and kernel characteristics were determined and observed maximum nut weight (2.21 g), nut length (39.78 mm) and nut breadth (20.33 mm), kernel weight (1.28 g), kernel length (28.63 mm) and kernel breadth (12.61 mm) and shelling percentage (57.99 %). In the present study it has been observed that the parent with big nut and kernel size and weight influenced the nut and kernel size; nut and kernel weight of the recipient parent significantly (p?0.05).

Agronomic evaluation of mungbean genotypes under delayed sowing conditions

High yielding varieties and suitable sowing time are the most important factors affecting the mungbean yield. Field experiments were carried out during kharif 2013 and 2014 at Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Budgam, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir, India to find out the suitable genotype of mungbean under delayed sowing conditions. The early sowing (first fortnight of June) recorded higher yield contributing characters ( seeds/plant and 100 seed weight) and seed yield than delayed sowing. Among genotypes ‘SKUA-M-365’ recorded higher 100-seed weight and seed yield in early sowing as well as under delayed sowing conditions.

Sulfur nutrition for enhancing rainfed groundnut productivity in typical alfisol of semi-arid regions in India

ABSTRACTThe field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years from 2011 to 2014 to evaluate the influence of graded levels of gypsum as a source of sulfur and different times of application on soil fertility and yield parameters and yield of groundnut (TMV 7) under rainfed condition at Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Chettinad, Tamil Nadu, India. It is observed that sulfur nutrition significantly influenced growth, yield attributing characters and yield over control. Sulfur nutrition through gypsum as a source 400 kg ha−1 in split mode viz., 200 kg as basal and 200 kg as top dressing during receipt of rains recorded highest plant height, more number of filled pods per plant, higher values for 100 pod weight, 100 kernel weight, pod yield and haulm yield. Split application of gypsum 400 kg ha−1 has increased pod yield to the tune of 31, 21 and 36 percent during 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively.

The supplementary irrigation effects on drought tolerance and ornamental characteristics of safflower varieties

Supplementary irrigation is a high-performance operation for increasing crop production and income of farmers in dryland conditions. In order to study the effect of supplementary irrigation on drought tolerance and ornamental characteristics of safflower genotypes an experiment was conducted in 2013-14 at North Khorasan Dryland Agricultural Research Station. The experimental design was split plot based on RCBD. Factors were included five levels of irrigation, i.e., no irrigation, irrigation at rosette stage, flowering stage, seed filling and irrigation in flowering + seed filling as the main factors, and sub factors were varieties in three levels included Feraman, Sina and Syrian. The effect of supplementary irrigation on harvest index, seed/main head, seed/sub head, thousand kernel weight and seed yield was significant. The effect of supplementary irrigation on traits: RGR, CGR, hollow seeds, number of flowers and flower size was not significant. The highest yield and harvest index were obtained with irrigation at flowering stage in Feraman. Since the Feraman variety has shiny red flowers and spineless leaves, is a good plant for flower trade. Keywords : carthamus tinctorius; flower color; optimum irrigation; spineless leaf.

Land use options and crop suitability of some red soils, red laterite soils and black soils of semi arid region of Tamil Nadu

The study was carried out in the three new research stations of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University with varied soil types viz., Maize Research Station, Vagarai of Dindigul district, Cotton Research Station, Veppanthatai of Perambalur district and Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Chettinad of Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu were selected for developing the strong soil resource database for proper appraisal of their productivity potential and their rational use. This study was an embodiment with an objective of land use options and crop suitability of some red soils, red laterite soils and black soils of semi arid region. Land capability classification was done based on the inherent soil characteristics, external land features and environmental factors. There are two land capability classes with five subclasses in the study area, viz., 'IIItsef', 'IIIswf', 'III swef', 'IVtsef' and 'IVtsdef'. The red soils of MRS, Vagarai were marginally suitable to highly suitable for cultivation of maize, greengram, sorghum, redgram and blackgram. The black soils of CRS, Veppanthattai were moderately suitable to highly suitable for cultivation of cotton, sorghum, soybean, greengram, blackgram, redgram, sunflower, sesamum, maize and pearlmillet. The red laterite soils of DARS, Chettinad were marginally suitable to moderately suitable for cultivation of groundnut, greengram, blackgram, redgram, horsegram and pearlmillet.

Water retention characteristics of red lateritic soils, red soils and black soils of Tamil Nadu in relation to soil texture

The present study was carried out to estimate the available water capacity of 246 soil samples collected from red lateritic soils of Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Chettinad, native red soils and application of transported black soils over the red native soils of Maize Research Station, Vagarai and black soils of Cotton Research Station, Veppanthattai of Tamil Nadu. The soils were analyzed for field capacity at 1/3 bar (33kpa) pressure and permanent wilting point at 15 bar (1500kPa) pressure in pressure plate apparatus besides, organic carbon and particle size distribution (soil texture) in surface and subsurface soils. In red lateritic soils the moisture retention at field capacity ranged from 13.2 to 20.5 and 13.8 to22.5 per cent, at permanent wilting point ranged from 5.4 to 10.9 and 4.9-11.6 per cent and available water capacity (moisture retained between 1/3 bar and 15 bar pressure) varied from 4.3 to 13.3 and 4.9 to 13.7 per cent. The moisture retention of application of transported black soils over native red soils varied from 29.2-30.4 and 19.8-22.7 per cent, at permanent wilting capacity varied from 14.8-16.9 and 7.6-9.2 per cent and the available water capacity varied from 13.6-15.5 and 11.9-14.1 per cent. The moisture retention of native red soils at field capacity varied from 16.2-19.4 and 16.2-18.5 per cent, at permanent wilting capacity varied from 5.4-7.6 and 4.9-7.8 per cent and the available water capacity varied from 10.2-11.6 and 11.3-11.9 per cent. The moisture retention of black soils at field capacity ranged from 30.8 to 39.7 and 32.4 to 40.8 per cent, at permanent wilting point 15.3 per cent to 22.9 and 16.9-24.6 per cent. The available water capacity varied from 13.5 per cent to 18.5 and 13.8-18.4 per cent in both the surface and sub-surface soils, respectively. The sub-surface soils of transported black soils over native red soils have high moisture retention capacity than native sub-surface soils. The available water capacity and maximum water holding capacity in all the soils were in the order of black soils>transported black soils over the native red soils>red soils>red lateritic soils. The soil parameters viz., organic carbon, sand silt and clay significantly influenced the field capacity of soils. The transported black soils over native red soils is beneficial for retaining the more soil moisture for sustaining crop growth particularly in rainfed situations under changing climate.

Application of fertility capability classification system in some black soils, red and red laterite soils of Tamil Nadu

Summary The study was carried out in the three new research stations of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University with varied soil types viz., Maize Research Station, Vagarai of Dindigul district, Cotton Research Station, Veppanthatai of Perambalur district and Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Chettinad of Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu were selected for developing the strong soil resource database for proper appraisal of their productivity potential and their rational use. This study was an embodiment with an objective of application of fertility capability classification system in some black soils, red and red laterite soils of Tamil Nadu. Four fertility capability units were identified in the study area. The conditions modifiers identified in the study area were ‘d’ dryness, ‘v’ high clay content, ‘b’ basic reaction, ‘e’ low CEC and ‘i’ P fixation. The condition modifier ‘d’ were dominated in its occurrence followed by the condition modifier ‘e’, ‘b’ and ‘i’.

Nutrients status in the surface and subsurface soils of dryland Agricultural Research Station at Chettinad in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu

A study on assessing the nutrient status of soils of Dryland Agricultural Research Station at Chettinad in Sivaganga District of Tamil Nadu was carried out to understand the relationship with various physico-chemical properties in surface and sub surface soil samples. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-15cm and 15-30cm and analyzed for available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, DTPA extractable iron, copper, zinc, manganese and hot water soluble boron. The available N, P, K, S, DTPA extractable Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe ranged from 123.0-209, 14.0-28.0, 126.0-319.0 kg ha-1, 9.13-18.85, 0.10-3.52, 0.85-3.63, 24.02-49.21 and 8.9-22.38 mg kg-1 in surface soils, respectively. Generally the soils were low in N, low to medium in available P and medium to high in available K and S in the surface soils. The surface soils were deficient in DTPA extractable Zn and hot water soluble boron, and adequate in available Cu, Fe, Mn. Hot water soluble (HWS) boron status ranged from 0.36-0.44mg kg-1 in surface soils. The subsurface soils (15-30 cm) are low in available N, low in available P, low to medium in available K and S. The pH had significant positive correlation with EC, organic carbon and sulphur (r = 0.239*, 0.293* and 0.241*, respectively) and negatively correlated with CaCO3 (r =- 0.302**). Though the pH had positive correlation with CEC, available P, Zn and Mn but not significant and showed negative correlation with available N, K, Fe and B. Other physiochemical properties of soil showed either negative or positive non-significant correlation with available nutrient status.

The effect of drought stress in dry farming conditions on grain yield and some morphologic traits in various bread wheat genotypes

In order to assess and classify the morphological traits of bread wheat in drought stress conditions (dry farming), 18 bread wheat cultivars were studied. This experiment was performed in the form of a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) in Gachsaran Dryland Agricultural Research Station during the agricultural years of 20102011. Variance of genotypes was significant for the traits, so there was a high genetic diversity among the traits. The studied traits included; agronomic score, spikelets per spike, leaf length, spike weight, grain length, thousand kernel weight (TKW) and grain yield. The results obtained showed that the total weight of the spike had the highest correlation with grain yield in dry farming conditions. Based on the results obtained of tests of resistance to dry stress genotypes of 16, 8 and 6 are the most resistant genotypes to drought stress. Generally, one can conclude that the traits of agronomic score and Spikelets per spike are main traits for recognizing superior genotypes.

Response of Groundnut Genotypes to Leaf Miner (Aproaerema modicella Deventer) Under Field Screening

Twenty five groundnut genotypes were field screened for leaf miner and defoliator incidence. The study was conducted at Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Chettinad during Kharif 2011and Rabi 2011-12. Periodic observations on leaf miner and defoliator damage were recorded in all the genotypes. Incidence of leaf miner was increased with raise in maximum temperature and decrease in relative humidity, rainfall and leaf wetness. The field screening results revealed that less leaf miner incidence was recorded in the genotypes viz., ICGV 06424, ICGV 07220, ICGV 07222, ICGV 07240, ICGV 07245, ICGV 07247, ICGV 07268, ICGS 11 and VRI (Gn) 6 in both the seasons. To identify the resistant genotypes to leaf miner, further screening studies under in vitro conditions with the identified genotypes with less incidence of leaf miner are required.