Number Of Effective Tillers Research Articles

Morpho-molecular Genetic Diversity Analysis of Basmati and Non-basmati Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm

This study evaluated genetic variability and relatedness among 34 rice genotypes, encompassing basmati and non-basmati varieties using morphological and molecular data. The findings revealed significant variability across all traits assessed. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation (PCV and GCV) were observed for traits such as days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, biological yield, grain yield, test weight, flag leaf length, and number of effective tillers. Notably, high heritability and genetic advance indicated that these traits are likely influenced by additive gene effects, making them suitable for selection in breeding programs. D2 analysis confirmed substantial genetic diversity among the genotypes and five clusters were formed based on the morphological data. Molecular analysis using 13 SSR primers, out of 13 primers 11 primers are showed the banding pattern, with the highest polymorphism information content (PIC) value recorded at 0.79 for marker HvSSR04-46. Clustering based on Jaccard’s dissimilarity coefficient revealed two distinct clusters. Based on the dendrogram pattern molecular data is divided into two clusters, cluster I and Cluster II, cluster I is subdivided into Cluster Ia and Cluster Ib. This research was conducted at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agricultural & Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, highlights the potential for selecting diverse rice genotypes to enhance breeding programs.

Effect of High Nighttime Temperatures on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Two Wheat Cultivars During the Whole Growth Period.

It is a consensus that Earth's climate has been warming. The impact of global warming is asymmetric, that is, there is more substantial warming in the daily minimum surface air temperature and lower warming in the maximum surface air temperature. Previous studies have reported diurnal temperature differences greatly affecting winter wheat yield. However, only a few studies have investigated the impact of global warming on the growth and yield of winter wheat, yet the influence of night warming on quality has not been deeply evaluated. In this study, two wheat cultivars were used as materials: Jimai 44 (JM44) with strong gluten and Jimai 22 (JM22) with medium gluten, to explore the effects of high nighttime temperatures (HNTs) on the growth, yield, and quality of wheat. The results show that HNTs significantly shortened seedling emergence and anthesis periods in both cultivars compared with ambient temperatures (ATs). In addition, HNTs increased the respiration rate at anthesis and grain-filling stages, impeding wheat pollination and grain maturity. HNTs also accelerated leaf senescence and increased the number of sterile spikelets and plant height, but decreased the effective tiller number, the number of spikes per unit area, and grains per spike. As a result, the grain yield of JM22 and JM44 was decreased by 24.6% and 21.2%, respectively. Moreover, HNTs negatively influenced the flour quality of the two wheat cultivars. The current findings provide new insights into the effects of HNTs on the growth, development, yield, and quality of different wheat genotypes during the whole growth period.

Genome-wide association analysis revealed genetic markers linked to grain yield and yield related traits in finger millet grown in acidic soils

Abstract Aim Soil acidity has a major impact on the finger millet yield and productivity as tolerant cultivars that perform well in acidic soils are limited. This study aimed at evaluating major finger millet phenotypic traits under acidic soils followed by identifying associated markers. Method A total of 288 finger millet genotypes were field evaluated for 8 major phenotypic traits including grain yield under acid soil conditions at two independent locations (Bako and Gute) in Ethiopia. In parallel, the same genotypes were subjected to genotyping-by-sequencing to generate single nucleotide polymorphism markers to be used in the association panel. Results Phenotypic data analysis revealed significant phenotypic variation in all the targeted traits among the studied genotypes. Genotypes Ec-100093, Ec-215803, and Ec-203322 were relatively high-yielding, whereas genotypes Ec-229721 and Ec-242110 had the lowest grain yield across the two locations. The broad-sense heritability of the traits ranged from 0.04 for the number of effective tillers (NET) to 0.78 for days to emergence (DE). The marker-trait association analysis revealed 23 SNP markers significantly associated with one or more traits. Among the 23 significant markers, one marker associated with DE, seven with days to heading (DH), four with days to maturity (DM), one with plant height (PH), two with number of fingers, two with ear length (EL), three with the number of effective tillers (NET) and three with grain yield (GY). Conclusions The identified novel markers associated with the targeted traits will potentially be useful for genomics-driven finger millet improvement in acidic soils.

Response of Biofertilizer and Molybdenum on Growth and Yield of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The field experiment was conducted during rabi season, 2023-24 at research farm, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur. The experiment was layout in Randomized Block Design (RBD). The treatments consisted of biofertilizers like Azotobacter and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) and three level of Molybdenum (400, 600 and 800 ppm) and control. The soil in the experimental area was sandy loam with pH (7.81), Organic Carbon (0.21%), Available N (132.5 kg/ha), Available P (21.13 kg/ha) and Available K (203.24 kg/ha). Seed rate is 100 kg/ha. The application of biofertilizers + PSB + 800 ppm Mo significantly increased the Plant height (110.46 cm), Dry matter accumulation (542.54 g/m2), No. of tillers/ running row meter (93.51), Number of effective tillers m-2 (199.86), Number of grains spike-1 (53.60), Grain yield (3450 kg/ha) and Straw Yield (6562 kg/ha) of barley over the control.

Optimizing rice (Oryza sativa) growth, productivity, profitability and nutrient uptake with coated urea and organic manure in the new alluvial zone of West Bengal

A two-year field experiment was carried out at experimental farm of BCKV, Nadia, West Bengal during kharif seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21 to study the effect of combined application of coated urea and organic manure on performance of rice. The experiment was laid-out in a randomized complete block design with four replications and treatment comprised 5 treatment combinations, such as T1 , control plot (without N); T2 , 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through neem-coated urea (NCU); T3 , 75% RDN through NCU + 25% RDN through FYM (farm yard manure); T4, 100% RDN through polymer sulphur coated urea (PSCU); T5, 75% RDN through PSCU+25% RDN through FYM. The results showed that 75% RDN through PSCU+25% RDN through FYM re- sulted in maximum growth attributes, viz. plant height (110.8 cm), maximum number of effective tillers per square meter (416/m2 ), highest dry-matter accumulation (DMA) (740 g/m2 ), leaf area index (LAI) (4.47) and crop growth rate (CGR) (6.56 g/m2 /day), highest yield components like panicle length (23.5 cm), panicle weight (9.95 g), num- ber of filled grains/panicle (113), test-weight (21.3 g) and maximum grain yield (4.79 t/ha) and straw yield (5.53 t/ ha). Similarly, maximum amount of total nutrient uptake by crop (99.7, 40.1 and 208 kg/ha NPK), protein yield (418 kg/ha), gross returns (` 71.8 × 103 /ha), net return (` 52 × 103 /ha) and B: C ratio (2.73) were noticed under T5 treat- ment. Therefore, it is advisable to implement a comprehensive nutrient management strategy T5 (75% RDN through PSCU + 25% RDN through FYM) in rice cultivation. This approach enhances growth, yield, nutrient absorption, and quality, ultimately boosting agricultural productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

Influence of Grass Pea Residues Extract on Weed Control Efficacy and Performance of Boro Rice

The agriculture sector is constantly adopting environmentally friendly and sustainable methods to reduce the harmful effects of herbicides on crop production. In this respect, an experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory (AFL), Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh to assess the allelopathic effects of grass pea crop residues on weed suppression and the growth performance of Boro rice from December 2021 to May 2022. The experiment consisted of four cultivars of Boro rice i.e. BAU dhan3, BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan81, BRRI dhan96 along with four different treatments of weed control viz. no extract and no weeding (control), hot water extract of Grass pea residues as pre-emergence application at 3 DAT (days after transplanting), hot water extract of Grass pea residues as pre-emergence application at 3 DAT+ post- emergence at 10 DAT, hand weeding 3 times at 15, 30 and 45 DAT. The highest weed growth was noticed when no extract was added and the lowest was found when three times hand weeding was performed. The highest number of effective tillers (NET) hill-1, number of spikelets panicle-1 (NSP) and grain yield (GY), straw yield (SY) and biological yield (BY) were recorded from the rice variety BAU dhan3. The highest NET hill-1, NSP, 1000-grain weight (TGW), GY, SY and BY were recorded from three hand weeding which was followed by hot water extract of grass pea as pre-emergence application at 3 DAT+ post-emergence application at 10 DAT. From the interaction it is observed that the highest NET hill-1, NSP, SY and BY were obtained from BAU dhan3 with three hand weeding which was followed by BAU dhan3 with hot water extract of grass pea as pre-emergence application at 3 DAT+ post-emergence application at 10 DAT. The findings of this study reveal that hand weeding, followed by the application of grass pea crop residues, effectively suppresses weed growth. Our research suggested leveraging the allelopathy-weed inverse relationship to address weed problems. This approach holds significant promise for weed management in the twenty-first century. J Bangladesh Agril Univ 22(3):360-368, 2024

Quantifying Genetic Diversity Based on Morphological and Molecular Analysis in Pearl millet [<i>Pennisetum glaucum</i> (L.) R. Br.] Inbred Lines

The experiment was carried out with thirty pearl millet inbred lines at Research Farm of ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet, Project Coordinating Unit, Mandor-Jodhpur during kharif 2020 in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. Morphological and molecular diversity was assessed in 30 pearl millet inbred lines by Mahalanobis D2 analysis and Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) molecular marker, respectively. Total five clusters were formed from D2 analysis and seven clusters were generated from SSR markers data analysis. The character viz. panicle girth, number of effective tillers per plant and 1000 seed weight contributed maximum to morphological diversity. The clustering pattern based on SSR markers data revealed that genotypes at molecular level had high diversity as compared to that seen at phenotypic level. There was significant differences among the clustering pattern of D2 and SSR molecular marker analysis. The reason may be environmental influence on phenotypic level. This information can be used as selection criteria to have hybridization between diverse parents to exploit heterosis in pearl millet breeding program.

Mulching tree leaves improve the growth, yield, and yield components of hybrid maize

The experiment was carried out at the Agroforestry Farm, Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from November 2019 to March 2020 to assess the impact of tree leaf mulching on the growth, yield attributes, and yield of maize. The study used a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and six treatments. These treatments were: T0=Control (no mulch), T1=Akashmoni (Acacia auriculiformis) tree leaf mulch, T2=Segun (Tectona grandis) tree leaf mulch, T3=Kalo koroi (Albizia lebbeck) tree leaf mulch, T4=Jhau (Casuarina equisetifolia) tree leaf mulch, and T5=Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) tree leaf mulch. The results showed that the Kalo koroi tree leaf mulch (T3) led to the highest values for various parameters such as plant height, number of effective tillers per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf diameter, number of cobs per plant, length, and diameter of cob, the weight of single cob, number of grains per cob, grain weight per cob, 100-grain weight, and grain yield of maize (221.18 cm, 0.93, 17.29, 79.26 cm, 7.30 cm, 4.18, 1.70, 21.11 cm, 6.08 cm, 212.12 g, 453.85 g, 138.91 g, 30.60 g, and 11.81 t/ha). Conversely, the lowest values were obtained in the control (T0) (no mulch), followed by T2 and T1 treatments (209.39 cm, 0.37, 12.5, 72.48 cm, 4.62 cm, 1.50, 15.03 cm, 4.44 cm, 202.19 g, 421.56 g, 111.55 g, 26.46 g, and 8.35 t/ha). Among the various tree leaf mulch treatments, it was found that the Kalo koroi tree leaf mulch performed better for vegetative growth, yield, and yield-contributing attributes in maize compared to the no mulch treatment. Therefore, it was suggested that tree leaf mulches could be a potential alternative to traditional mulches in maize cultivation. Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 11, No. 2, August 2024: 205-214

Effect of Date of Sowing and Nitrogen Level on the Yield of Wheat

An experiment to evaluate the growth and production of BARI Gom-26 was carried out at Bangladesh Agricultural University's Agronomy Field Laboratory from November 2022 to March 2023. The experiment compared various nitrogen amounts and planting dates. Five nitrogen levels (90, 100, 110, 120, and 130 kg N ha-1) were taken into consideration along with three planting dates (November 15, November 25, and December 5, 2022). Three replications of a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) were used in the trial. On March 1, March 18, and March 28, 2023, respectively, harvesting was done independently. According to the findings, November 25th with 110 kg N ha-1 produced the highest grain yield (3.92 t ha-1). Furthermore, on November 25, 2022, 110 kg N ha-1 produced the highest scores of tillers per hill (6.11), effective tillers per hill (5.74), number of spikelets per spike (12.46), number of grain-1 (23.89), straw yield (7.07 t ha-1), and biological yield (11.00 t ha-1). On the other hand, on December 5 with 130 kg N ha-1, the lowest number per total tiller (3.54), number of effective tillers per hill (3.36), straw yield (3.46 t ha-1), and biological yield (6.22 t ha-1) were noted. As a result, November 25, 2022, was linked to the highest grain yield. On November 25, 2022, it was also observed that all three planting dates and all five nitrogen treatments worked effectively with 110 kg N ha-1. The best date to sow wheat was determined to be November 25, 2022, and this date is advised for wheat cultivation in Bangladesh in different agro-ecological zones.

Evaluation of Transplanted Aman Rice by Exploiting and Adjusting Existing Technologies

Varietal differences are a common occurrence in rice cultivation across Bangladesh. Moreover, the application of appropriate management practices (MP) is essential for optimal rice production. Against this backdrop, a study was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory (AFL) of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, during the aman season from July to December 2023. The aim was to assess the impact of different varieties and MP on the yield and other related attributes of Transplanted Aman (T. aman) rice. The study featured five rice varieties: BR11, BRRI dhan49, BRRI dhan52, BRRI dhan75, and BRRI dhan87 and two MP, namely Farmers’ Practices (FP) and Improved Practices (IP). The experimental design was a split plot, with MP as the main plots and varieties as the subplots, replicated three times. The findings indicated that both the variety of rice and the MP significantly influenced the yield and yield-related traits. Specifically, the variety BRRI dhan87 showed superior performance, yielding the highest plant height (PH) (116.87 cm), panicle length (PL) (25.33 cm), number of effective tillers (NET) hiil-1 (10.33), number of grains panicle-1 (NGP) (129.04), 1000 grain weight (TGW) (26.03 g), Biological yield (BY) (11.88 t ha-1), grain yield (GY) (5.69 t ha-1), Harvest index (HI) (47.81%). Under the MP, the IP recorded the highest NET hiil-1 (10.47), NGP (119.35), and GY (5.48 t ha-1), showing a 13.14% increase in GY over the FP. The combination of BRRI dhan87 and IP achieved the highest GY (6.31 t ha-1). The study concludes that the highest GY of T. aman rice can be achieved by cultivating BRRI dhan87 with IP, although further trials at various locations are recommended before drawing final conclusions.

Straw return under deep tillage increases grain yield in the rice-rotated wheat cropping system

ContextStraw return under rotary tillage has been used for two decades in the rice-rotated wheat cropping system in the lower Yangtze region of China, but it has become prone to reduce wheat emergence and yield in recent years, and alternative tillage methods are required to ensure the high wheat yields. AimsTo determine whether straw return under deep tillage can improve wheat yield and under what mechanisms. We hypothesize that straw return under deep tillage can increase wheat seedling number by reducing rice stubble and straw coverage, and expand the nutrient pool and root system of the plow soil profile to keep post-anthesis viability for increasing wheat yield. MethodsA field study was conducted during two consecutive years and included four treatments: rotary tillage after straw removal (RT); rotary tillage after straw return (RTS); shallow rotary tillage followed by straw mulch (STS) and deep tillage after straw return (DTS). Wheat seedling number, yield, aboveground nutrient uptake, growth period, root characteristics, and soil nutrients were measured. ResultsCompared to RT, seedling number under RTS and STS decreased by 8.3 % and 13.4 %, respectively, while DTS increased by 14.7 %. Wheat yield under RTS and STS decreased by 3.0 % and 7.3 %, respectively, while DTS increased by 8.2 %. The reduction in seedling number under RTS and STS would be partially offset in wheat yield by an increase in effective tiller number per plant and grain weight. Consequently, the variation in wheat yield among treatments was less than the variation in seedling number. Aboveground N and P accumulation in wheat under DTS were higher than the other treatments. Among four treatments, DTS had the highest root distribution and soil N and P contents in the middle and deep soil layers, thus prolonged grain filling duration. Wheat nutrient uptake at maturity and yield were significantly correlated with root weight density and root length density in both middle and deep soil layers. ConclusionsStraw return under deep tillage can increase nutrient supply capacity and root distribution in deep soil while ensuring wheat emergence, enabling better filling of post-anthesis wheat and yield. It is therefore an effective alternative tillage method suitable for the rice-rotated wheat cropping system.

Optimum Seeding and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Maximizing Yield and Sustaining Rain-Fed Lowland Rice (<i>Oryza Sativa </i>L.) in Fogera Plain North-western Ethiopia

Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) is increasingly becoming an important food crop in Ethiopia. However, the average rice productivity in Ethiopia is estimated at 2.8 t ha<sup>-1</sup> which is much lower than the world average, 4.6 t ha<sup>-1</sup>. Its productivity is challenged due to a lack of appropriate and location-specific agronomic practices like the application of optimum doses of nitrogen fertilizer and the use of optimum seeding rates. Thus, a field experiment was conducted in Fogera district in South Gondar Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia during the 2021 main cropping season to determine the optimum dose of N level and seeding rate. The treatments comprised factorial combinations of four levels of N (134, 184, 234 and 284 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>) and four different seeding rates (60, 80, 100, and 120 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. All data on phenology, vegetative growth yield and yield-related parameters were collected and measured following scientific standards of each parameter. Those data were subjected to analysis of variance using the general linear model (GLM) procedures of SAS 9.0 version system. Economic analysis was also carried out by following CIMMYT partial budget analysis procedures. The analysis result showed the main effects of both, different levels of nitrogen and different rate of seeding, and their interactions showed highly significant effect on the number of both total and effective tillers, grain filling, panicle length, phonological parameters, totals spikelet’s, thousands seed weight, grain yield, biological yield and straw yield. Application of 184 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> level with a seeding rate 100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> gave the maximum grain yield (6,641 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>), the highest number of effective tillers per m<sup>2</sup> (792) and filled grains per panicle (95.34). Furthermore, the highest net return of ETB 118,850 with acceptable marginal rate of return (2,313%) was also obtained from the application of 184 kg N ha-<sup>1</sup> level and a seeding rate 100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>. From the current research experiment, it is possible to conclude that increasing seeding rate beyond 100 kg ha<sup>-1 </sup>and N above 184 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> is not economical yield of rice <i>“Selam’’ </i>variety in the study area. Rather, use of 184 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> and seeding rate of 100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> is promising for Lowland Rice (<i>Selam</i>) variety production under the rain fed condition in Fogera Plains and similar agro-ecologies of rain-fed growing area of Ethiopia for better economic and agronomic advantage.

Improving Rice Quality by Regulating the Heading Dates of Rice Varieties without Yield Penalties.

The heading date, a critical trait influencing the rice yield and quality, has always been a hot topic in breeding research. Appropriately delaying the flowering time of excellent northern rice varieties is of great significance for improving yields and enhancing regional adaptability during the process for introducing varieties from north to south. In this study, genes influencing the heading date were identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Using KenDao 12 (K12), an excellent cultivar from northern China, as the material, the specific flowering activator, OsMADS50, was edited using the genome-editing method to regulate the heading date to adapt to the southern planting environment. The results indicated that the osmads50 mutant line of K12 flowered about a week later, with a slight increase in the yield and good adaptability in the southern region in China. Additionally, the expressions of key flowering regulatory genes, such as Hd1, Ghd7, Ehd1, Hd3a, and RFT1, were reduced in the mutant plants, corroborating the delayed flowering phenotype. Yield trait analysis revealed that the primary factor for improved yield was an increase in the number of effective tillers, although there is potential for further enhancements in the seed-setting rate and grain plumpness. Furthermore, there were significant increases in the length-to-width ratio of the rice grains, fat content, and seed transparency, all contributing to an overall improvement in the rice quality. In summary, this study successfully obtained a rice variety with a delayed growth period through OsMADS50 gene editing, effectively implementing the strategy for adapting northern rice varieties to southern climates. This achievement significantly supports efforts to enhance the rice yield and quality as well as to optimize production management practices.

Integrated nutrient management and agronomic zinc biofortification to improve wheat crop and soil health

It is possible to boost nutrient accumulation in grain, enhance grain production, and enhance the soil’s physical characteristics through the use of bio-fertilizers, zinc delivery methods, and organic and inorganic fertilizers integrated in a balanced manner. Often, zinc (Zn) is insufficient in soil due to a lack of organic matter additions to the soil. The world’s food supply is secured by Zn, a crucial micro nutrient. The effect of different zinc application methods and integrated nutrient management methods were tested on wheat crops based on crop production, nutrient uptake, and soil physico-chemical characteristics. Three distinct bio fertilizers, namely Azotobacter, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria, and Zn solubilizing bacteria were used in the experiment. There was a significantly greater number of effective tillers m−2 to the tune of 385 and 388 tillers m−2 and DTPA exchangeable Zn in the final soil of about 0.70 mg/kg with the soil and foliar application of zinc compared with the other treatments. A variety of integrated nutrient management treatments increased crop productivity and soil physico-chemical parameters by increasing soil nutrient availability. The current study indicates that adding organic manure is essential to sustainably preserving soil quality and crop productivity. It should therefore be included in nutrient management plans for crops that require a lot of nutrients.

Path Coefficient Analysis and Character Association of Yield and Yield Contributing Traits of Rice Landraces

An experiment was carried out during Kharif 2020 to estimate the direct and indirect effects of various independent characteristics on the dependent character and to assess the degree of relationship between yield and yield contributing traits of rice landraces. The experimental material consists of 188 landraces including two checks IR-64 and Jeerashankar and these genotypes were planted in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Based on correlation and path analysis studies, significant positive correlation and high direct positive effect on grain yield per plant were found for traits flag leaf length, number of tillers, number of effective tillers, panicle weight, harvesting index, panicle index, fertile spikelet per panicle and biological yield per plant. Itdepicted that during the formulation of criterion in the rice improvement program as well as for plant ideotype, these traits would be of significant relevance.

Effect of Varieties and Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Wheat Crop under Irrigated Condition (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the third most crucial staple food globally, providing essential nutrients and being widely utilized in various applications. A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2022–2023 at Lovely Professional University's Agriculture Research Farm in Jalandhar, Punjab, to investigate the impact of different wheat varieties and nutrient treatments on growth and grain yield. The study utilized a factorial randomized block design with three replications and eight treatment combinations involving two wheat varieties: V1 (Unnat PBW 550) V2 (WH 1105) and four nutritional levels: N1 (control), N2 (100% RDF Recommended dose of fertilizer), N3 & 15% VC (Vermicompost), and N4 (70% RDF & 30% VC). The results showed that the N3 treatment significantly enhanced growth parameters, including plant height, number of leaves, tiller count, and dry matter accumulation. V2 (WH 1105) exhibited superior growth, with greater plant height (93.6 cm), leaf count (24.1 leaves/plant), and dry matter accumulation (54.57 g at 90 DAS).Yield attributes such as the number of effective tillers per plant, grains per spike, and 1000-grain weight were highest in the N3 treatment, with V2 (WH 1105) against outperforming V1 (Unnat PBW 550). Specifically, N3 treatment resulted in the highest number of effective tillers (6.0), grains per spike (58.16), and 1000-grain weight (39.40 g). Grain yield was maximized with the N3 treatment (57.15 q/ha), with V2 (WH 1105) producing a significantly higher grain yield (50.5 q/ha) compared to V1 (Unnat PBW 550). Additionally, the N3 treatment led to the highest straw yield (78.96 q/ha) and biological yield (136.11 q/ha). The harvest index was highest with the N2 treatment (42.35%), while V2 (WH 1105) showed a higher harvest index (41.97%) than V1 (Unnat PBW 550). These findings underscore the importance of nutrient management and variety selection in optimizing wheat growth and yield.

Effect of cutting schedules and nitrogen management on forage and seed production of oats (Avena sativa L.)

A field research entitled “Effect of cutting schedules and nitrogen management on forage and seed production of oats (Avena sativa L.)” was conducted to find out the effect of cutting schedules (uncut, cut at 50 DAS and cut at 60 DAS) and nitrogen management (120 kg N ha-1, 90 kg N ha-1 + one spray of nano urea 2 ml litre-1, 90 kg N ha-1 + one spray of nano urea 4 ml litre-1, 60 kg N ha-1 + two sprays of nano urea 2 ml litre-1 and 60 kg N ha-1 + two sprays of nano urea 4 ml litre-1) on productivity of oats and find out the effect of foliar application of ‘Nano Urea’. The results revealed that significantly higher plant height, number of tiller 0.5 m-1 row length and dry matter accumulation 0.5 m-1 row length were observed under uncut over cut at 50 DAS and cut at 60 DAS.The results revealed that cut at 60 DAS resulted in significantly highergreen fodder yield as compared to cut at 50 DAS. Yield parameters viz. number of effective tillers 0.5 m-1 row length, panicle length, number of grains panicle-1, 1000 grain weight, weight of grain 0.5 m-1 row length, grain, straw, biological yield and harvest index of oat was significantly higher under uncut as compared to cut at 50 DAS and 60 DAS. Grain yield increased under uncut over cut at 60 DAS by 146.8 per cent and straw yield increased under uncut over cut at 50 DAS and cut at 60 DAS by 69.1 and 182.7 per cent, respectively. Further, uncut recorded significantly higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content and uptake in grain and straw as compared to cut at 50 DAS and 60 DAS. Further, number of tiller and dry matter accumulation increased with the application of 120 kg ha-1. Significantly higher green (35.02 t ha-1) and dry (7.35 t ha-1) fodder yield was obtained with the application of 120 kg N ha-1 as compared to application of 60 kg N ha-1 + two sprays of nano urea 2 ml litre-1 and 60 kg N ha-1 + two sprays of nano urea 4 ml litre-1, however, it was at par with application of 90 kg N ha-1 + one spray of nano urea 2 ml litre-1 and 90 kg N ha-1 + one spray of nano urea 4 ml litre-1. Yield parameters viz. number of effective tillers and 1000 grain weight increased with the application of 120 kg N ha-1. Further, grain yield increased with the application 120 kg N ha-1over 90 kg N ha-1 + one spray of nano urea 2 ml litre-1, 90 kg N ha-1 + one spray of nano urea 4 ml litre-1, 60 kg N ha-1 + two sprays of nano urea 2 ml litre-1 and 60 kg N ha-1 + two sprays of nano urea 4 ml litre-1 by 17.4, 14.2, 35.1 and 28.2 per cent, respectively. Straw yield increased with the application of 120 kg N ha-1 over 60 kg N ha-1 + two sprays of nano urea 2 ml litre-1 by 15.3 per cent. Further application of 120 kg N ha-1 recorded higher phosphorus and potassium content over rest of the treatments.

Effect of different organic sources and their combination on growth, yield and economics of millet crop- pearl millet

The present investigation was carried out to identify the effects of different combinations of organic nutrition and its role in the growth, yield and economics of the pearl millet variety Shri Ram Pro 90. From the above experimental finding, it may be concluded that the treatment T3 (100% Neem cake) was found to be best in terms of growth parameters like the highest number of effective tillers (6.82 tillers), tallest plant (128.48 cm) at 60 DAS and yield parameters like longest length of ear head (38.23 cm); thickest girth of ear head (15.57 cm); maximum number of grains per ear (2013.00 grains); highest grain yield per hectare (2787.79 kg/ha) of Pearl millet. The highest net return was found in the T2 (100% Vermicompost), followed by T3 (100% Neemcake).

Studies on Genetic Variability, Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A study was undertaken to analyse the genetic variability, correlation and estimates path coefficient analysis of yield and yield contributing traits in twenty-eight wheat genotypes grown at BAU Agricultural Farm, ranchi during Rabi season of 2019-2020 in three different dates of sowing with an interval of 15 days which is considered as three environments E1, E2, E3. In this investigation the pooled analysis of variance revealed that the treatments were highly significant for all the characters. Wide genetic variation was observed among genotypes for plant height, number of grains per spike, 1000 kernel weight, days to maturity and flag leaf area. Considering genetic parameters, high genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV), was observed for 1000 kernel weight (11.95), no of grains per spike (12.73), flag leaf area (13.74), spike length (15.83), grain yield per plant (17.64), no of effective tillers (18.38) Whereas, low GCV was observed for plant height (3.49), days to 50% flowering (1.46), days to maturity (2.54) and harvest index (6.90). In most of the cases, phenotypic variances were higher than the genotypic variances. Environmental variance is much higher in harvest index (35.64), days to 50% flowering (33.47). low environmental variance was observed in plant height (16.75), flag leaf area (10.29), days to maturity (13.93), no of grains per spike (14.07), spike length (0.49) and biological yield (35.64). High heritability with low genetic advance in per cent of mean was observed for plant height, days to maturity, days to 50% flowering & harvest index which indicated the involvement of non-additive gene action for the expression of this character and selection for such trait might not be rewarding. High heritability with high genetic advance in per cent of mean was observed for grain yield per plant (27.73), no of grains per spike (20.93), 1000 kernel weight (23.58) and no of effective tillers (27.91) indicating that these traits were under additive gene control and selection for genetic improvement for these traits would be effective. Biological yield had high positive and significant correlation with plant height, number of effective tillers and number of grains per spike. Path coefficient analysis revealed maximum direct contribution towards yield per plot with sheath length followed by grains per spike.

Productivity and profitability of rice (Oryza sativa) influenced by customized fertilizers under rice-wheat cropping system

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on silty loam soil during 2016–17 and 2017–18 to study the productivity and profitability of rice (Oryza sativa L.) influenced by customized fertilizers in rice-wheat cropping system. The experiment comprised of 6 nutrient management practices, viz. T1, control; T2, recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF); T3, Soil test-based recommendation (STR); T4, Indo-Gulf customized fertilizer; T5, TCL customized fertilizer and T6, Farmer’s practice. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 4 replications. Results revealed that soil test-based recommendation showed significantly higher grain yield (4.88 t/ha), straw yield (7.53 t/ha) of rice, maximum number of effective tillers (438.6/m2), higher length of panicle (25.05 cm), maximum number of grains/panicles (135.10) and test weight (23.81g) over farmer’s practice and RDF, while it was at par with TCL customized fertilizer and Indo-Gulf customized fertilizer. The higher buildup of organic soil carbon (0.43%) and available N (174.11 kg/ha), P (18.98 kg/ha), S (14.88 ppm), DTPA-Zn (0.65 ppm) and B (0.55 ppm) in was maintained or slightly increased in soil test-based recommendation and customized fertilizers applied plots. While higher availability of K (259.80 kg/ha) was found in RDF. The higher net returns (32.58 × 103 `/ha) per rupee investment and B:C ratio (0.82) was also recorded in Soil test-based recommendation followed by Indo-Gulf customized fertilizer and TCL customized fertilizer.