Kharif Season Research Articles

Identification of Key Traits for Yield Improvement in Brinjal Through Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), also known as poor man’s vegetable, is widely distributed and grown in almost all parts of India. The assessment of genetic variation, correlation and path analysis for various yield and yield attributing traits in the available germplasm is crucial for selecting superior genotypes with desired traits such as yield, fruit quality, disease resistance, and adaptability to environmental conditions, thereby enhancing the potential for further crop improvement through breeding. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the phenotypic correlation and path coefficient among various yield and yield related traits for 42 genotypes of brinjal at the Horticulture Research Centre, SVPUA&T, Meerut (U.P.), India, over two consecutive Kharif seasons in 2022 and 2023 in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The analysis of variance indicated significant variability across all the traits examined. In general, magnitudes of genotypic correlation coefficient were higher than their corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficient, implying a significant inherent relationship in different pair of traits. Based on the correlation coefficient analysis, fruit yield per plant had significant and positive association with fruit yield per plot, fruit yield per hectare, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, fruit length and fruit girth both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis showed that the traits viz., number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit girth and fruit length exhibited highest direct effects on fruit yield and also indirectly influenced by the other yield contributing traits of brinjal. It is concluded from the study that these traits may be used as key indices towards the direct selection of elite genotypes for the successful breeding programme for yield improvement of brinjal germplasm.

Effect of Tillage Practices and Hydrogel Applications on Yield and Yield Attributing Traits of Maize (Zea mays L.) over the Years

This study investigated the effects of different tillage practices and hydrogel applications on maize yield in sandy loam soils at the Agricultural Research Station, Karimnagar, PJTSAU, Telangana state over a period of four years (2015-2018) during the Kharif season. The experiment was designed as a split plot with four main treatments i.e., Conventional tillage (CT), Conventional tillage with residue mulching (4 t/ha), Zero tillage (ZT) and Zero tillage with residue mulching (4 t/ha). These were combined with three sub-treatments involving hydrogel application i.e., Control (no hydrogel), Hydrogel at 2.5 kg/ha and Hydrogel at 5.0 kg/ha. The study was replicated three times to ensure reliability of the results. The combination of zero tillage with residue mulching yielded the highest maize grain yield (4435 kg/ha). This suggests that this practice is more effective in retaining soil moisture, which is critical under rainfed conditions. The addition of hydrogel, regardless of the rate (2.5 kg/ha or 5.0 kg/ha), did not lead to any significant improvement in maize yield. The use of zero tillage combined with residue mulching is beneficial for maize production in sandy loam soils under rainfed conditions, primarily due to enhanced moisture retention. However, hydrogel application did not provide any additional yield benefits in this context.

Yield of Turmeric Varieties [Curcuma longa (L.)] Under Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus tereticornis) Based Agroforestry System in Chhattisgarh Plain, India

The experiment was conducted during the year 2022-23 and 2023-24 in Kharif seasons at the Herbal Garden of IGKV, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Two production systems were studied: F1 involved sole Turmeric, while F2 involved Eucalyptus intercropped with Turmeric in both the production system used FRBD (Factorial Randomized Block Design). Eight turmeric varieties were used: T1 - Suranjana, T2 - Selam, T3 – Chhattisgarh Haldi-1, T4 – Chhattisgarh Haldi-2, T5 – Roma, T6- Ranga, T7- NDH-98 and T8- Sonali. The pooled rhizome fresh yield data for year 2022-23 and 2023-24 year shows that F2 (Eucalyptus + turmeric) (19.76 t/ha) yielded significantly less than F1 (Sole turmeric) (21.73 t/ha). Among varieties, Chhattisgarh Haldi-2 (25.18 t/ha) and NDH-98 (24.65 t/ha) recorded the maximum yield, while the lowest yield was recorded in Sonali (16 t/ha). A significant result found in production system and crop variety which showed that performance of varieties depended on the cropping system.

Study the Effect of Planting Dates and Reproductive Pruning on Yield Attributes of Yam Bean (Pachyrrhizus erosus L.)

Flowers are reproductive organs that convert photosynthetic assimilates into seeds when flowers are developed the yield of the tuber decreases. So, it’s prerequisite to pluck the flowers to increase the tuber yield [1] as well as its needs to find out suitable planting date for cultivation of yam bean in Konkan region. Therefore, an experiment on “Study the effect of planting dates and reproductive pruning on yield attributes of Yam bean (Pachyrrhizus erosus L.)” was conducted at Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Dapoli, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli during Kharif season of year 2023-24. Two factors were studied during the investigation using factorial randomized block design (p= .05) viz. Planting dates (D) i.e., D₁-1st week of June, D₂-3rd week of June, D3 -1st week of July, D4 -3rd week of July and Interval of reproductive pruning (P) i.e., P1 – Weekly, P2 – Fortnightly, P3 – No pruning. The results showed that weekly reproductive pruning (P1) with planting date 3rd week of June (D2) gave best effect and significantly affect the yield per plant (642.03 g), average weight of tuber (407.70 g),yield per hectare (12.90 t ha-1) and length and diameter of tuber (21.50 cm and 17.53 cm) respectively.

Estimation of Heterosis and Combining Ability for Quality Traits in Bottle Gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.

An experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm, Maharajpur, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur in kharif season of 2022 and 2023. The current study evaluated the performance of 23 bottle gourd genotypes, including 6 parental lines, their 15 diallel crosses, and 2 checks, focusing on their quality traits. Over two years of pooled data, genotype, JBG-4×JBG-5 was found to possess maximum TSS (3.93 °Brix), followed by JBG-2×JBG-4 (3.77 °Brix). JBG-4×JBG-5 was found to have maximum ascorbic acid content (14.48 mg 100-1 g) followed by JBG-4 (14.01 mg 100-1 g). Rind thickness was found maximum in JBG-2×JBG-4 (3.36 mm) followed by JBG-2×JBG-3 (3.28 mam). This study found a substantial association between the total soluble solids (TSS) and ascorbic acid content with the yield of bottle gourd genotypes. Among the genotypes, JBG-4×JBG-5 demonstrated the highest yield per plant, along with the highest total soluble solids (TSS) and ascorbic acid content. Regarding heterosis, JBG-4×JBG-5 has found the highest heterosis for total soluble solids and ascorbic acid content. JBG-4 and JBG-2 are the best general combiners for TSS, ascorbic acid content, and rind thickness. JBG-4×JBG-5 has found the best specific combiner for TSS and ascorbic acid content.

Effect of Eighteen Years of Continuous Crop Residue Application on Crop Yields, Soil P Fractions, and Crop P Uptake in Conservation Tillage Under Semi-Arid Tropical Rainfed Conditions

The continuous use of crop residue in soil can enhance the crop yield and potential availability and mobility of P fractions to crops in conservation tillage. A field experiment was conducted to assess the long-term effects of surface crop residue applications on soil P fractions and their relationship with P uptake and crop yields. Field experiment was conducted at ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, India during 2005 to 2022. The experimental treatments applied were: T1 - no crop residue application, T2 - application of crop residue @ 2 t ha-1, T3 - application of crop residue @ 4 t ha-1, and T4 - application of crop residue @ 6 t ha-1 in conservation tillage. The test crops viz. sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) were grown in a yearly rotation every year in the kharif season in conservation tillage. The results of the long-term study revealed that the per cent increase in sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) grain yield with the application of crop residue at the rate of 2, 4 and 6 t crop residue ha-1was to the tune of 7.9, 16.1 and 26.0%, respectively over no crop residue application. Similarly, the per cent increase in the cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seed yield was to the extent of 25.2, 43.0 and 64.1% in 2, 4 and 6 t ha-1, respectively over no crop residue application. The sorghum and cowpea stover yield also significantly (p=0.05%) increased with the added levels of the crop residue. Significantly higher P uptake by sorghum and cowpea was recorded in 6 t crop residue ha-1 as compared to the other crop residue treatments. Results of the current study also showed the significant positive response of long-term crop residue application on the P fractions viz., water-soluble phosphorus (WS-P), aluminum bound P (Al-P), iron bound P (Fe-P), calcium bound P (Ca-P) and reductant soluble P (RS-P), and on available P and total P in soil as compared to no crop residue application. The average percent contribution of P fractions toward the sum-total of extracted P was in the order: Fe-P (30.8%)>RS-P (30.7%)>Al-P (24.2%)>Ca-P (9.4%)>WS-P (4.8%). The WS-P and Al-P were found to be the P fractions indicating their specificity by cowpea crop, and WS-P and Ca-P were found to be P fractions indicating their specificity by sorghum crop. The results of the present study will be highly useful in understanding the effect of crop residue application in conservation tillage on the P fractions and their contribution toward P uptake and crop yields.

Effect of biotic and abiotic factors on the population dynamics of Nilaparvata lugens in the middle Gangetic Plains of India

Aim: To investigate the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on the population dynamics of brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) in the middle Gangetic plains of India. Methodology: Field trials were conducted in the middle Gangetic plains of India at Agricultural Research Farm, B.H.U., Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India during Kharif season of 2018 and 2019 on the variety Swarna sub-1 to study the population dynamics and certain biotic and abiotic interaction with brown planthopper. Results: During Kharif 2018 and 2019, the highest mean number of brown planthopper population (45.00 ± 2.31 and 39.33 ±1.82 nos., respectively) were recorded during September in both seasons. Abiotic factors such as rainfall (r = - 0.556), relative humidity in the morning (r = 0.476), maximum temperature (r = 0.511), and sunshine hour (r = - 0.546) influenced planthopper population dynamics, and predictions were made with reasonable accuracy (R2 = 0.89) using the principal component regression analysis technique. Crop phenology was the most influential biotic factor on pest population density. The crop's booting stage had the highest incidence of planthoppers. Three different predatory populations (wolf spider, damselfly and ladybird beetle) were observed to feed on planthoppers in Kharif 2018 and four different predatory populations (wolf spider, damselfly, ladybird beetle and green mirid bug) were observed to feed on planthoppers in Kharif 2019, resulting in a reduction in crop pest density. Interpretation: These findings can be used to develop the precise management strategies for brown planthopper in the rice ecosystem. Key words: Abiotic, Biotic factors, Brown planthopper, Crop phenology, Middle Gangetic Plains, Natural enemies, Rice

Herbicide evaluation in direct seeded rice in the middle Gangetic plains of India

AbstractA field experiment was conducted in Samastipur district of Bihar, India during kharif season of 2021 and 2022 to identify suitable herbicides for control of composite weed flora in direct seeded rice. Compared to weedy check, application of bispyribac sodium + pyrazosulfuron ethyl as tank mixture effectively reduced weed density at 50 days after seeding during both the cropping season (82% and 86%, respectively) and weed dry weight (7.62 and 7.18 g m−2, respectively) over control and as a result yielded maximum during both the cropping season (47.92 and 51.32 q ha−1, respectively). Based on overall performance, bispyribac sodium + pyrazosulfuron ethyl may be considered as viable weed management option in direct seeded rice for the rice growers of middle Indo‐Gangetic region.

Analysing the Growth and Instability of Cereal Crop Production Across Kharif and Rabi Seasons in Western Odisha, India

Over the past decade, agricultural development in India has evolved significantly due to a range of influencing factors. In Odisha, the agricultural sector is particularly susceptible to risks and uncertainties, making it crucial to assess growth and instability. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the compound growth rate and Coppock’s Instability Index for four major cereal crops-rice and maize for both Kharif and Rabi seasons, as well as ragi and wheat, each in their respective seasons. Utilizing secondary data spanning from 1993-94 to 2022-23, the research evaluates and compares the growth and instability of production of these crops across districts in Western Odisha. The study also ranks districts based on these metrics, offering a detailed comparison between Kharif and Rabi seasons. The results highlight differences in growth trends and instability levels among the crops, providing valuable insights into the agricultural patterns and challenges faced by the region. The final findings reveal that rice tends to have lower growth rates but greater stability in the kharif season compared to the rabi season, while maize shows overall positive growth. Ragi struggles with negative growth during the kharif season, and wheat experiences declining growth in the rabi season.

Relative Economic Profitability of Millet based Crop Rotations with Chickpea in Hisar District of Haryana

Background: Millets and pulses are the most important dryland crops grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons in the semi-arid regions of the country for food, feed and animal fodder. These crops also show considerable resilience to changing climate (drought, heat and nutrient stresses). For diversification of Pearl millet-Chickpea rotation, adoption of small millets (finger millet, foxtail millet, proso millet, little millet, brown top millet, barnyard millet and kodo millet) in addition to pearl millet may be viable option. Methods: A field experiment was carried out at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India during 2022-23 in randomized block design in Kharif and Rabi season, replicated thrice with eight treatments (foxtail millet, little millet, brown top millet, proso millet, kodo millet, barnyard millet, finger millet and pearl millet) in Kharif season and eight crop rotations (foxtail millet-chickpea, little millet- chickpea, brown top millet- chickpea, proso millet- chickpea, kodo millet-chickpea, barnyard millet- chickpea, finger millet- chickpea and pearl millet- chickpea) in Rabi season to evaluate economic profitability of eight millet based crop rotations with chickpea. Result: During Kharif season among all millets (foxtail millet, little millet, brown top millet, proso millet, kodo millet, barnyard millet, finger millet and pearl millet) tested, Pearl millet was found most suitable, which produced significantly higher grain yield (2462 kg/ha), biological yield (10066 kg/ha), net energy returns (121552 MJ/ha), energy intensiveness (14.0 MJ/USD), human energy profitability (133.3 MJ/ha) compared to all other millets. In Rabi season chickpea sown after Foxtail millet recorded significantly higher seed yield (2080 kg/ha), biological yield (8923 kg/ha), net returns (Rs. 66713/ha), B:C (2.44), net energy returns (120497 MJ/ha), energy ratio (19.27), energy productivity (0.31 kg/MJ), energy profitability (18.27 MJ/ha) and human energy profitability (134.2 MJ/ha).

Effect of Sowing Methods and Different Levels of Nitrogen on Yield Attributes and Yield of Maize

The field experiment was carried out at Research Farm, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India during Kharif season, 2021. The experiment envisages to study the effect of Sowing methods and different Nitrogen levels on yield and attributes of maize crop. The experiment was laid down in the Split Plot Design and the treatments was replicated three times. Among the sowing methods, the maximum length of a cob (18.52 cm) was obtained in the ridge sowing method (S1) while among nitrogen levels the maximum length of cob (19.51 cm) was obtained with the application of 25% N through granular urea + 75% N through Nano-urea (N5). Among nitrogen levels highest number of grains per row (40.76) were obtained in the application of 25% N through granular urea + 75% N through Nano-urea (N5). Seed Index was achieved to be highest in ridge method of sowing(S1) with the application of 25% N through granular urea + 75% N through Nano-urea (N5). Number of grains per cob were highest (385.55) in the N5 treatment among the nitrogen levels treatments. Among sowing methods, the maximum grain yield of 51.75 q ha-1 was founded in the ridge method of sowing. Among nitrogen levels the highest grain yield of 57.76 q ha-1 was obtained in N5 treatment. However, harvest index was found to be non-significant. Ridge method of sowing was found to be most effective than broadcasted method. Application of Nano-urea alone did not give good results. Granular urea along with nano-urea was found to be more effective in maize crop under this region.

Growth Parameters and Protein Content of Maize as Influenced by Sowing Methods and Different Levels of Nitrogen

The field experiment was carried out at Research Farm, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India during Kharif season, 2021. The experiment envisages to study the effect of Sowing methods and different Nitrogen levels on yield and attributes of maize crop. The experiment was laid down in the Split Plot Design and the treatments were replicated three times. The maximum plant height of 56.92 cm, 235.17 cm and 237.16 cm was observed in the ridge method of sowing at knee height stage, tasselling stage and at harvest stage, respectively. Among nitrogen levels, the maximum plant height of 57.61 cm, 235.29 cm and 238.38 cm was observed at knee height stage, tasselling stage and at harvest stage, respectively in the treatment (N5) 25% N through granular urea + 75% N through Nano-urea. Among nitrogen levels, the maximum DMA of 86.30, 425.36 and 1287.73 g sqm-1 day-1 was observed at knee height stage, tasselling stage and at harvest stage, respectively in the treatment (N5) 25% N through granular urea + 75% N through Nano-urea. At harvest stage number of leaves per plant were highest in the S1 (14.33) and N5 (16.13) treatment. Among nitrogen levels, the maximum leaf area index (LAI) of 1.55, 2.49 and 1.9 was observed at knee height stage, tasselling stage and at harvest stage, respectively in the treatment N5. Among sowing methods, highest protein content was found in the ridge method (10.14%) followed by flat method (9.81%) and broadcast method (9.42%) of sowing. The protein yielded maximum of 586.15 kg ha-1 in the N5 treatment. All parameters showed better in granular urea application rather than nano-urea, when used solely.

Eco-Friendly Management of Maydis Leaf Blight (Bipolaris maydis) (Nisikado and Miyake) Shoemaker of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Maydis leaf blight is the destructive foliar fungal disease causes considerable losses in maize crop. Disease appears as young small and diamond shaped lesions, as they mature, they elongate. The present investigation was carried out in kharif season in the year 2023-2024 under field conditions. Eight treatments were tested against maydis leaf light viz. Trichoderma viride @ 5g/ha (ST) + Turmeric rhizome extract @ 10% (FS), T. viride @ 5g/ha (ST) + Garlic clove extract @ 10% (FS), T. viride @ 5g/ha (ST) + Neem leaf extract @ 10% (FS), T. viride @ 5g/ha (ST) + Eucalyptus leaf extract @ 10% (FS), T. viride @ 5g/ha (ST) + Tulsi leaf extract @ 10% (FS), T. viride @ 5g/ha (ST) + Datura leaf extract @ 10% (FS), Propiconazole 25 EC @ 0.1% as treated check and untreated control in Randomize Block Design with three replications. Among all the treatments minimum disease intensity (%) was recorded in treatment T. viride @ 5g/kg + Garlic clove extract @ 10% (26.98%) followed by T. viride @ 5g/kg + Neem leaf extract @ 10% (28.90%), T. viride @ 5g/kg +Datura leaf extract @ 10% (31.44%), T. viride @ 5g/kg + Turmeric rhizome extract @ 10% (34.32%), T. viride @ 5g/kg + Eucalyptus leaf extract @ 10% (37.88), T. viride @ 5g/kg + Tulsi leaf extract @ 10% (38.90%) as compared to control and maximum plant height (cm) (168.40), number of leaves (19.46), cob length (cm) (18.92cm), yield (t/ha) (4.25t/ha) and cost benefit ratio (1:2.4) was recorded in treatment T. viride @ 5g/kg + Garlic clove extract @ 10% compared to control.

Yield Gap Analysis and Impact Assessment of Frontline Demonstrations on Green Gram in Arunachal Pradesh, India

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra Tirap, Arunachal Pradesh, India conducted frontline demonstrations (FLD) on green gram at 30 ha area of farmers’ field to exhibit latest production technologies and compared it with farmer’s practice during Kharif season of 2022. The study in total 75 frontline demonstrations were conducted on farmers’ fields in villages viz., Deomali, Namsang, Soha, Makat, Paniduria, Sipini and Chomoithung of Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh state during 2022-23 to demonstrate production potential and economic benefit of improved technologies. The FLD recorded a average yield of 640 kg/ha which was 20.75% higher than obtained with farmers’ practice (530 kg/ha). The better mean net income of Rs. 17500/ha with a Benefit: Cost ratio of 1.76 was obtained with FLD in comparison to farmers’ practices (Rs. 10300/ha). The farmers’ should be encouraged to adopt the recommended package of practices realizing for higher returns.

Performance Evaluation of Stress Tolerant Rice Variety Swarna Shreya under Front Line Demonstration in Bolangir District, Odisha

Rice is the major crop of Odisha with a total coverage of 41 lakh ha which is about 65% of the total cultivable area of the state. Area under rice crop in Bolangir district is 218.97 thousand ha. Bolangir District is located under Western Central Table Land Agro climatic Zone characterized by hot and sub humid climate. About 168.91 thousand ha rice is under rainfed condition. Drought is a major abiotic stress that adversely affects the rice growth, mostly in the rainfed ecosystem that ultimately affects the biomass production and yield. Front line demonstrations have been conducted in NICRA adopted village- Odiapali, Block- Bolangir in the Kharif season of the year 2022 and 2023. The percentage increase in yield is 13.63 and 14.61 and net return is Rs 42,200/- and Rs 43,444/- per ha as compared to farmer’s practice variety Swarna’ performance respectively for the year 2022 and 2023.

Management of White Fly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.) by Different Bio-Pesticides on Red Okra Crop

The experiment was conducted in Kharif season 2023 at an organic research farm, Kargua Ji, Department of Entomology, Bundelkhand University Jhansi. The present investigation was worked out with nine treatments including control (untreated) in three replications, a total of 27 plots were designed under randomized block design against the white fly infestation on the okra crop. Three applications of treatments were carried out and observations were taken at 3 days, 7 days and 14 days after spraying of the treatments. All the treatments were found significantly effective over control to manage the population of the white fly, where Neem oil was found to be the most effective treatment that recorded a minimum population of 6.94 whiteflies per leaf as per NKSE recorded 9.94 white fly/plant and Karanj oil (10.91), where all Neembased product was found effective against white fly moreover among all microbial pesticides Beaveria bassiana found effective. Among all treatments maximum yield was obtained from Neem oil treated plots recorded at 161.36 Qt/hac as per with NSKE (155.87 Qt/hac) but the highest C:B ratio was recorded under NSKE(1:1.82) followed by Neem oil (1:1.77).

Yield Gap and Impact Analysis of Rice Variety CAU R-1 in Different Location of Leparada District of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Front Line Demonstration on rice variety CAU R-1 was conducted in the Leparada District of Arunachal Pradesh in the year of 2019 to 2022 by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, West Siang during the Kharif season. The demonstration was conducted in 40 farmers’ field covering 18 hectares of area. The study was conducted for Grain yield, Yield gap, Technological gap, Extension gap, Economic gains and Technology Index. The demonstration showed that the average grain yield was lowest in 2019 (43.00 q/ha) and highest in 2022 (46.50 q/ha). The average grain yield of farmers’ practice was lowest with 30.00 q/ha in 2019 and highest in 2022 with 34.86 ql/ha. Percentage of increased yield of the demonstration over the farmers’ practice ranges from 33.30% to 43.30%. In case of Technological gap/yield gap, extension gap and technological index the value decreased from 2019 to 2022 with the value of 27.00 to 23.50 (Technological gap/yield gap), 13.00 to 11.64 (extension gap) and 38.60% to 33.60 % (technological index). In term of economic study, the benefit cost ratio of the demonstration ranges from 1.72:1 (2019) to 1.76:1 (2022) whereas the farmers’ practice benefit cost ratio ranges from 1.16:1 (2019) to 1.28:1 (2022). The yield potential of rice can be increased to a great extent by using high yielding varieties with improved technologies through front line demonstration. Accordingly, the production and the productivity of rice will be increased resulting in sustainable and profitable farming at the same time reducing the technology gaps.

Effect of Cumulative Amendment of Soil with Fly Ash in Combination with Other Nutrients on Change in Grain Yield, Crude Protein, NPN and True Protein Contents of Rice

An experiment was planned and conducted at Instructional Farm (IF), Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar in the years 2022 and 2023 during the Kharif seasons to study the effect of the cumulative addition of nine varieties of nutrients on the yield and protein contents of two varieties of rice namely Gayatri and Vandana. The applied fly ash (FA) was alkaline in nature whereas the soil was acidic. The grain yield of the Kharif crop in 2022 (Gayatri) varied from the lowest of 31.56 qha-1 to the highest of 37.21 qha-1. It varied from the lowest of 38.66 qha-1 to the highest of 43.82 qha-1 in 2023. The crude protein content varied from the lowest of 7.97% to the highest of 9.16% in 2022 but it varied from the lowest of 7.31% to the highest of 8.39% in 2023. The non-protein nitrogen (NPN) content varied from the lowest of 7.97% to the highest of 9.16% in 2022 but it varied from the lowest of 7.31% to the highest of 8.39% in 2023. The true protein content varied from the lowest of 6.90% to the highest of 7.97% in 2022 but it varied from the lowest of 6.12% to the highest of 7.50% in 2023. It was observed that the grain yield, crude protein, non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and true protein content decreased by the application of FA over control (only NPK fertilizer). The crude protein content decreased in all the treatments in 2023 over its 2022 counterpart whereas NPN increased by the cumulative addition of nutrients. This resulted in higher values of true protein content in the grains in the year 2023. Grain yield increased in all the treatments in 2023 over the previous year resulting in higher yield of true protein content. Hence more amount of protein rich grains per hectare can be obtained by the cumulative addition of nutrients in spite of varietal difference of the grains.

Estimation of Avoidable Yield Losses Due to Pest Complex in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023 at the research farm of Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, to evaluate the yield losses caused by a pest complex on cowpea. The pooled study of both year revealed that the highest total avoidable loss was observed in the untreated control (NP) at 40.90%, followed by the PVS treatment (imidacloprid 17.8 SL) at 24.45%. The lowest avoidable loss was recorded in the PRS treatment (chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC) at 13.49%. The treatment PTS (imidacloprid 17.8 SL and chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC) showed the highest increase in cowpea seed yield over control, with a 69.24% increase, followed by PRS with a 46.29% increase. Conversely, the PVS treatment exhibited the lowest yield increase at 27.83%. Maximum yield of 1049.70 kg ha⁻¹ was achieved with the PTS treatment, while the lowest 620.40 kg ha⁻¹ in the NP treatment. The PVS and PRS treatments yielded 793.10 kg ha⁻¹ and 908.20 kg ha⁻¹, respectively.

A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF POTATO GROWERS IN KANGRA DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

This study investigates the socio-economic status of potato farmers in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. This district was chosen specifically because it has a substantial area under potato cultivation. The required information was gathered from two potato-growing blocks in the district. The study revealed that the majority of household heads (57%) are between the ages of 16 and 40, with an average family size of five to seven people. Agriculture and livestock rearing emerge as the primary sources of income for most farms, with an average farm size of 1.76 ha, 74% of which are irrigated. During the Kharif season, vegetable crops are dominant, while potatoes are important during the Rabi season, with an average of 21.23 ha per farm. Potato productivity varies, with large farms producing 253.75 q/ha versus 246.43 q/ha on small farms. Agriculture-related earnings, or farm earnings, account for 45.2% of total farm income, with potatoes accounting for 8%, while non-farm income accounts for ~26.5%. Future research topics include investigating the impact of climate change on potato farming and evaluating the effectiveness of agricultural policies in terms of income and productivity. Further research could look into the effects of modern farming techniques on sustainability and profitability, potentially providing insights into improving agricultural practices in the region.