Number Of Seeds Pod-1 Research Articles

Effect of new pre-mix herbicides molecules on yield attributing character and yield of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] in vertisols

The experiment “Effect of new pre-mix herbicides molecules on yield attributing character and yield of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] in vertisols” was carried out during kharif season of 2017 at Instructional Cum Research Farm, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, with the objective to find out best pre-mix herbicide for growing soybean under the agro-climatic condition of Chhattisgarh. The soil in the experimental field was clayey (Vertisols) in texture, with low Nitrogen, medium phosphorus, and high potassium content. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) having the combination of eight treatments replicated thrice. The weed management practices selected for study were T1 - Pendimethalin 30% EC+ Imazethapyr 2% SL premix @ 960 g a.i. ha-1 as PE, T2 - Sulfentrazone 48% F+ Clomazone 48 EC @ 725 g a.i. ha-1 as PE, T3- Diclosulam+ Pendimethalin 85% WG @ 102 g a.i. ha-1 as PPI, T4 - Diclosulam+ Pendimethalin 85% WG @ 127.5 g a.i. ha-1 as PPI, T5 - Imazethapyr 35% + Imazamox 35% WG @ 70 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE, T6 - Propaquizafop 2.5% + Imazethapyr 3.75% SL @ 50+75 g ai ha-1 as PoE, T7 – Pendimethalin @ 1000 g a.i. ha-1 as PE and T8 – control (weedy check). The results of experiment on response of different pre-mix herbicides revealed that yield attributing characters viz., number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, seed yield, stover yield and harvest index were significantly higher under treatments Propaquizafop 2.5% + Imazethapyr 3.75% SL @ 50+75 g ai ha-1 as PoE (T6). Similarly, all these characters were also superior in treatment of Sulfentrazone 48% F+ Clomazone 48 EC @ 725 g ai ha-1 as PE (T2). Remarkable lowest values were obtained in weedy check.

Effect of Foliar Nutrient Sprays on Summer Greengram (Vignaradiata L.) Under Sub Mountain Zone Of Maharashtra

An agronomic investigation to study the Effect of Foliar Sprays on Economics ofSummer Greengram (Vignaradiata L.) was conducted at R.C.S.M. College of Agriculture, Kolhapurin randomized block design with seven treatments and replicated thrice during summer season of 2017-18. The attributing characters like plant height, Number of branches plant-1, plant spread (cm), Leaf area (dm2) and Dry matter plant-1 are increased significantly due to application of foliar spray of 12:61:00 (1.5%) before flowering over other treatments. However,it was on par with foliar spray of DAP (1.5%) and 19:19:19 (1.5%). Yield contributing characters viz., Number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, length of pods plant-1, test weight (g), grain and straw yield was increased significantly due to application of foliar spray of 12:61:00 (1.5%) before flowering over other treatments. However, it was on par with foliar spray of DAP (1.5%) and 19:19:19 (1.5%) before flowering

Response of mungbean to foliar application of nitrogen and micronutrients during reproductive stages

An experiment was conducted at the pot yard of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh during the period from February to May 2017 to investigate the effect of foliar application of nitrogen and micronutrients on crop characters, yield attributes and yield of two mungbean genotypes. The experiment comprised four levels of nutrients foliar application like, i) T1 = Control; ii) T2 = Foliar application of urea at the rate of 1.5% four times from flowering start to pod development stage with an interval of 4 days; iii) T3 = T2 + 0.1% micronutrients (B, Mo, Zn, Mn, Ca, Fe, Cu) four times from flowering start to pod development stage with an interval of 4 days and iv); T4 = T3 + side dressing (soil application) of 1.5% N and 0.1% micronutrients solution four times from flowering start to pod development stage with an interval of 4 days. The genotypes were Binamoog-6 and Binamoog-7. Results revealed that morphological (plant height, branch and leaf number, leaf area plant-1), physiological (total dry mass plant-1, specific leaf weight, chlorophyll), yield attributes (number of pods plant-1, pod length, single pod weight, number of seeds pod-1 and 100-seed weight) and yield increased in foliar nutrients applied plants over control but the increment was greater in T2 and T3 than the T4 treatment. The highest plant height, branch and leaf number, leaf area, total dry mass, pod number, pod length, 100-seed weight and seed yield were recorded in T2 followed by T3 with same statistical rank (in most cases). The lowest morpho-physiological, yield attributes and yield were recorded in T1 (control) plants. Binamoog-7 was superior in most of plant parameters and yield compared to Binamoog-6.

Synthesis and Characterization of Iron Chelates Using Organic and Amino acids as a Chelating Agents and Evaluation of Their Efficiency in Improving the Growth, Yield and Quality of Blackgram

Deficiency of iron in plants is the most serious problem in recent agricultural practices due to the introduction of high yielding varieties, loss through leaching and reduced farm yard manure application. Chelating agents are widely used to increase the solubility of micronutrients, for stable and sustainable crop production.A chelate refers to a ring system that results when a metal ion combines with two or more electron donor groups of a single molecule.The lab experiment was carried out to study the synthesis of Fe chelates by using organic and amino acid based chelating agents. The synthesized iron chelate was characterized. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of foliar and soil application of amino acids and organic acids chelated micronutrients on growth yield and qualityof blackgram. The plants were sprayed with single dose of organically chelated iron(1%) along with common ferrous sulphate on 25 and 45 DAS and untreated control. The results showed that foliar application of 1% ferrous glycinate chelate at resulted in maximum plant height, SPAD value, number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, pod length and 100 grain weight, Starch content and Protein content of blackgram in calcareous black soil.

Effect of Varieties and Crop Geometries on Yield and Profitability of Soybean in Semi – Arid Climate of Telangana

A field study entitled ʻʻEvaluation of varieties at varied crop geometry for yield maximization in soybeanʼʼ was conducted at College farm, Agricultural College, Polasa, Jagtial, PJTSAU, during the kharif season of 2018. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications to evaluate the performance of promising varieties of soybean (V1- Basar, V2- JS 335, V3- KDS 756 and V4- MACS 1281) and to standardize the crop geometry for Soybean varieties (S1- 45 x 10 cm, S2- 30 x 10 cm, S3- 45 x 05 cm and S4- 35 x 05 cm) under rainfedsemi arid conditions of Telangana. The results obtained from the present experiment indicated that among the varieties the yield attributes and yield are numbers of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, seed yield, stalk yield and harvest index (%) and monetary returns of KDS 756 variety was significantly higher as compared to other varieties followed by Basar, MACS 1281, respectively. Hundred seed weight was significant among varieties and was higher with variety KDS 756 followed by MACS 1281, JS 335 and Basar. JS 335 showed inferior performance regarding yield attributes yield and monetary returns. Among crop geometry 30 x 10 cm recorded higher yield characters and monetary returns followed by 45 x 05 cm, 30 x 05 cm and 45 x 10 cm, respectively.

Effect of Soil and Foliar Application of Boron on Yield and Economics of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)

A field experiment entitled "Effect of soil and foliar application of boron on yield and economics of green gram" was carried out during Kharif 2019-20 at ZARS, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru. The field experimental results revealed that significant (p < 0.05) variation in number of pods plant-1 (25.74), number of seeds pod-1 (14.48), test weight of 100 seeds (5.12 g), grain yield (10.19 q ha-1), haulm yield (2.17 t ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.96) were recorded in treatment T10 which received soil application of borax at 2.50 kg ha-1 + foliar application of boric acid at 0.1 % along with package of practice. The number of nodules plant-1 (20.12) was significantly (p < 0.05) highest in treatment T12 which received soil application of borax at 5.00 kg ha-1 + foliar application of boric acid at 0.1% along with RDF over absolute control (14.75). So, from this experiment treatment T10 which received soil application of borax at 2.50 kg ha-1 + foliar application of boric acid at 0.1% along with package of practice shows better results, Since, the present study result one year experiment; further long term and multi-locational trial must be done to confirm the finding.

Effect of drip fertigation on the productivity of green gram under sodic soil

A field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirapalli during summer 2021 to study the effect of drip fertigation with different irrigation intervals and phosphorus sources on the productivity of green gram under sodic soil condition. The experiment consisted of four main plot treatments with different irrigation intervals such as drip irrigation in three days interval (M1), five days interval (M2), seven days interval (M3) compared with surface irrigation (M4). Subplot treatments consisted of different phosphorus sources viz., SSP (S1), DAP (S2) as soil application, MAP (S3) and Phosphoric acid (S4) as a fertigation and control plot without phosphorus application (S5). The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Drip irrigation was given at 80% PE. Drip fertigation was given once in five days interval. Results revealed that among the irrigation intervals, drip irrigation with five days intervals recorded significantly highest growth and yield characters such as plant height (39.9cm), number of branches plant-1(5.1), root length plant-1 (16.1cm), root nodules plant-1(12.4), dry matter production(3843 kg ha-1), LAI (6.3), yield attributes viz., number of pods plant-1 (40.8), number of seeds pod-1(12.4), pod length (8.0 cm), pod weight (3.46 g), grain yield (841kg ha-1) and haulm yield(1821 kg ha-1). However, drip irrigation with seven days interval recorded significantly higher growth, yield parameters than surface irrigation. Among the phosphorus sources fertigation of phosphoric acid recorded significantly taller plant (42.8cm), more number of branches plant-1 (5.8), root length plant-1 (14.5 cm), root nodules plants-1 (13.0), dry matter production (3463 kg ha-1), LAI (7.0) and yield attributes viz., number of pods plant-1 (41.5), pod length (12.2 cm), seeds pods-1 (12.2), seed weight (3.72 g), seed yield (814 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (2559 kg ha-1). Similarly, fertigation of MAP recorded significantly higher growth and yield parameters than the control plot. Thus, drip irrigation with 80% PE at five days interval and fertigation with either MAP or phosphoric acid as a source of phosphorus could be revealed for improving the productivity of green gram under sodic soil condition.

Effect of pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs, PGRs and Nutrients on Growth, Yield and Economics of Irrigated Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper

Background: Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] is one of the most important cultivated legume crops with high nutritive value and agricultural importance. The productivity of blackgram is not adequate to meet the domestic demand of the growing Indian population. Consequently, there is an urgent need for enhancement of productivity through proper agronomic practices. With this background, a research experiment was conducted in a farmer’s field at Pudhupalayam, Coimbatore to investigate the effect of foliar application of PPFM, plant growth regulating compounds and nutrients on growth, yield attributes, yield and economics of irrigated blackgram. Methods: A field experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications during 2019 (kharif and rabi) season. The treatments include 100% recommended dose of NPK along with foliar application of diammonium phosphate (DAP), brassinolide (Br), salicylic acid (SA) and pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFM) with different concentration (1%, 2%, 1 ppm, 2 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, respectively) in addition to control. PPFM and PGRs were sprayed at 30 and 45 days after the sowing of blackgram. Result: The experiment results of the two seasons study revealed that the application of 100% RDF + PPFM @ 2% recorded higher growth characters viz., plant height (cm), number of branches plant-1, leaf area index and yield attributes viz., number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, pod weight (g), pod height (cm), 100 seed weight (g) and yield viz., grain yield (kg/ha), straw yield (kg/ha) and harvest index (%). As well as the same treatment recorded higher net return and B:C ratio. Correlation and regression analysis also indicated that the yield attributes had a positive impact on the grain yield with a magnitude of 1.91 and 1.67, respectively. Therefore, application of 100% RDF+2% PPFM spray can be recommended as the best technology to improve the yield and economics of blackgram.

Foliar Application of Boron and Irrigation Levels on the Performance of Lentil

The experiment was conducted to study the response of lentil to irrigation levels and different methods of boron application in relation to yield and yield contributing characters. Three levels of irrigation viz., I0: control (No irrigation), I1: one irrigation at 25 days after sowing (DAS), I2: two irrigations at 25 DAS and 40 DAS, and four levels of Boron viz., B0: control (No boron), B1: 80% recommended dose (RD) as basal + rest 20% as a foliar spray (FS) at pre-flowering (PF), B2: 60% RD as basal + rest 40% as FS at PF, B3: 40% RD as basal + rest 60% as FS at PF as treatment variables. It was found that the highest number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, 1000-seed weight, pod length, seed yield and stover yield was obtained with two irrigations. In contrast, B3 had a significant effect on the yield contributing characters of lentil. Results also revealed that numerically more seed yield (638.23 kg ha-1) was recorded in I2B3. Similar trend was found in case of stover yield (751.26 kg ha-1) and biological yield (1389.4 kg ha-1) from I2B3 combinations. These results suggested that combined application of irrigation at 25 and 40 DAS and boron at 40% RD as basal + rest 60% as FS at PF significantly enhanced the crop yields of lentil. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2021, 24(1): 129-138

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Applications on Nitrogen Remobilization and Grain Yield in Soybean (Glycine max [L] Merril) in the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality in Northern Region of Ghana

Two experiments were conducted in the Savelugu-Nanton Municipality of the Northern Region of Ghana in 2012 and 2013 to assess the effect of N fertilizer on growth, N remobilization and grain yield of three local varieties of soybean (Glycine max [L] Merill). The experiments were a 3 x 4 factorial laid in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Factor A was soybean varieties (Jenguma, Quarshie, Ahotor); Factor B was 0, 15, 30 and 45 kg N ha-1. The experimental fields were planted manually on the flat by drilling and later thinned to 2 plants hill-1 at 0.50 m × 0.10 m with a population of about 400 000 plants ha-1. Growth and yield parameters measured were plant height, nodule number plant-1, nodule dry weight plant-1, percent nodule effectiveness, number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, 100 seed weight, harvest index and grain yield. The results showed that the control recorded lower figures in all growth parameters. Nitrogen remobilization was also observed in all plots, which indicate that soybean needs greater levels of N during grain filling. Again, N remobilization and soybean yield were highest in the 45 kg N ha-1 treatment compared to the other treatments. However, considering the overall yields, farmers in the study area should be advised to adopt starter N fertilization of soybean for higher yields as the soils are highly degraded in soil fertility.

Amelioration Effect of Soil Amendment on Growth and Yield of Vigna unguiculata L. Grown in Acidic and Alkaline Soils

Aim: Amelioration effect of soil amendment on growth and yield of Vigna unguiculata L. grown in acidic and alkaline soils.
 Study Design: The study was conducted in a randomized complete block design with five replicates.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Botany, University of Calabar, Nigeria, between May and September, 2017.
 Methodology: Composite soils from two locations Akamkpa (pH 4.0) and Odukpani (pH 9.0) were collected, mixed thoroughly with organic manure (OM) and agricultural lime (AL) singly and in combination, allowed to stay three weeks for proper blending before V. unguiculata seeds were sown. On seedlings germination, amelioration effect of soil amendment on growth and yield of cowpea grown in acidic and alkaline soils was studied at different periods of growth.
 Results: Results revealed significant (P=0.05) increase in leaf area, plant height, number of leaves, leaf fresh and leaf dry weight, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate and leaf area ratio of V. unguiculata grown in acidic and alkaline soils treated with OM and AL. Pod length, number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, number of seeds plant-1, weight of 100 seeds increased significantly. Organic manure used singly and in combination was more effective in ameliorating soil pH effect than AL. Vigna unguiculata performed better in treated and untreated alkaline than in acidic soils. Least plant height for V. unguiculata grown in untreated alkaline soil at 12 weeks after sowing WAS was 60.22±0.16a cm and highest 119.63E2±.35g cm for plants grown in soil treated with AL1+OM1. Least number of seeds plant-1 for plants grown in untreated acidic soil at 12 WAS was 90.60±0.02a and the highest 139.18E2±0.02e for plants grown in soil treated with AL1+OM1.
 Conclusion: An improvement in growth and seed yield of V. unguiculata grown in acidic and alkaline soils is feasible through the use of organic manure and agricultural lime.

Influence of defoliation during reproductive stage on seed yield in uniculm mungbean plants

An experiment was conducted at the pot yard of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh during the period from February to May 2018 to investigate the effect of defoliations on morphological characters, yield attributes and yield of uniculm mungbean plant. The experiment comprised of nine levels of defoliation viz., control, 2, 3, 4, 5 leaves removal from base and 2, 3, 4 and 5 leaves removal from top out of 7 leaves during flowering start phase. The morpho-physiological characters such as plant height, stem diameter, leaf area and total dry mass plant-1 and number of racemes, reproductive characters such as rachis length and diameter, number of flowers plant-1 and reproductive efficiency, yield contributing characters such as number of pods plant-1, pod length, number of seeds pod-1, single pod and 100-seed weight and seed yield decreased with increasing defoliation both from base and top except basal 2 leaves defoliation. The above parameters increased over control in basal 2 leaves defoliation. The decrement due to defoliation was greater in top defoliated plants than the corresponding basal defoliated ones indicating upper leaves contributes more assimilate to the sink than the basal leaves. The highest morpho-physiological parameters, reproductive characters and yield contributing characters observed in basal 2 leaves defoliated plants which resulted the highest seed yield (5.75 g plant-1) followed by control (5.49 g plant-1). The lowest morpho-physiological parameters, reproductive and yield contributing characters recorded in top 5 defoliated plants and produced the lowest seed yield (1.21 g plant-1). These results suggest that uniculm mungbean plant tolerate basal 2 leaves loss in the canopy during reproductive stage.

Foliar-Applied Potassium Silicate Coupled with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Improves Growth, Physiology, Nutrient Uptake and Productivity of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Irrigated with Saline Water in Salt-Affected Soil.

The continuity of traditional planting systems in the last few decades has encountered its most significant challenge in the harsh changes in the global climate, leading to frustration in the plant growth and productivity, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions cultivated with moderate or sensitive crops to abiotic stresses. Faba bean, like most legume crops, is considered a moderately sensitive crop to saline soil and/or saline water. In this connection, a field experiment was conducted during the successive winter seasons 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 in a salt-affected soil to explore the combined effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and potassium (K) silicate on maintaining the soil quality, performance, and productivity of faba bean plants irrigated with either fresh water or saline water. Our findings indicated that the coupled use of PGPR and K silicate under the saline water irrigation treatment had the capability to reduce the levels of exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) in the soil and to promote the activity of some soil enzymes (urease and dehydrogenase), which recorded nearly non-significant differences compared with fresh water (control) treatment, leading to reinstating the soil quality. Consequently, under salinity stress, the combined application motivated the faba bean vegetative growth, e.g., root length and nodulation, which reinstated the K+/Na+ ions homeostasis, leading to the lessening or equalizing of the activity level of enzymatic antioxidants (CAT, POD, and SOD) compared with the controls of both saline water and fresh water treatments, respectively. Although the irrigation with saline water significantly increased the osmolytes concentration (free amino acids and proline) in faba bean plants compared with fresh water treatment, application of PGPR or K-silicate notably reduced the osmolyte levels below the control treatment, either under stress or non-stress conditions. On the contrary, the concentrations of soluble assimilates (total soluble proteins and total soluble sugars) recorded pronounced increases under tested treatments, which enriched the plant growth, the nutrients (N, P, and K) uptake and translocation to the sink organs, which lastly improved the yield attributes (number of pods plant−1, number of seeds pod−1, 100-seed weight). It was concluded that the combined application of PGPR and K-silicate is considered a profitable strategy that is able to alleviate the harmful impact of salt stress alongside increasing plant growth and productivity.

Effect of Sprinkler and Basin Irrigation Systems on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Canola Crop

An experiment was conducted to assess the yield potential and Water Use Efficiency (WUE) of Canola crop grown under sprinkler and basin irrigation techniques on a clay loam soil. The experiment was designed by the Principles of Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two treatments, viz. T1 (sprinkler irrigation method) and T2 (basin irrigation method), replicated four times. Marginal quality water with Electrical Conductivity (ECw) of 1.83 dS/m and pH of 8.2 was used for irrigation. The crop yield obtained under T1 and T2 treatments were 1,407.9 and 1,123.8 kg ha-1, respectively; 20% more yield was observed under T1 treatment. In the given order of treatments (T1 and T2), the Canola crop used 3,605 and 4,453 m3 ha-1 of irrigation water, hence, 19% water saving was achieved by T1 treatment. The WUE attained under T1 and T2 treatments were 0.39 and 0.25 kg m-3 respectively; therefore, 35.8% WUE was enhanced under T1 treatment. While comparing the agronomic parameters of the crop under the two procedures, all the observed parameters (plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of pods plant-1, pod length, number of seeds pod-1 and biomass plant-1) were superior in case of T1 treatment than T2 treatment. The soil Electrical Conductivity (ECse), Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), and Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) increased, and pH decreased under both the treatments, however, the maximum increase in ECse, SAR and ESP, and maximum decrease in pH occurred under T2 treatment. Statistical analysis showed that the crop yield, irrigation water use, WUE, ECse, pH, SAR, ESP, and all the agronomic parameters differed significantly (p < 0.05) under the two treatments.

Productivity of Lima Bean (Phaseolus Lunatus L.) Cultivars Using NPK Compound Fertilizer Rates and Training Practice in the Nigerian Savanna

Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) is a legume crop grown for its edible beans. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal rate of NPK fertilizer and the need for training to achieve the maximum yield of lima bean cultivars in the Nigerian Savanna. Field trials were performed at the research farm of Institute for Agricultural Research Samaru, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Bagauda sub-station during the wet season of 2018 (Duration month-month). The treatment consisted of two lima bean cultivars (Ex-Manchok Brown and Ex-Manchok Cream), preparation (trained and untrained) and four fertilizer levels of NPK 15:15:15 (control, 150, 300, and 450 kg ha-1). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Data showed that in Bagauda, Ex-Manchok Brown gave significantly higher in LAI at 6 WAS than Ex-Manchok Cream, while Ex-Manchok Brown outperformed in the number of seeds pod-1, 100-seed weight and seed yield ha-1 at Samaru Ex-Manchok Cream. Trained lima bean at Samaru resulted in significantly higher LAI at 9 WAS and branch numbers at 12 WAS, while 100-seed weight and seed yield ha-1 at Bagauda were significantly higher with vine training. NPK The application of 450 kg ha-1 in Samaru and Bagauda resulted in the highest seed yield. The outcome of this study verified that training with 9 DAS and 450 kg ha-1 of NPK 15:15:15 compound fertilizer is needed to obtain a maximum of Ex-Manchok Cream lima bean cultivar in Nigerian savanna beans.

Phosphorus and Boron Effects on Nodulation and Yield of Soybean Under Non-Saline Agro-Ecosystem of Patuakhali

The field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Field of Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali during the period from December 2019 to May 2020 to evaluate the effect of phosphorus (P0 = 0 kg P ha-1, P1 = 30 kg P ha-1, P2 = 60 kg P ha-1, P3 = 90 kg P ha-1) and boron (B0 = 0 kg B ha-1, B1 = 4 kg B ha-1, B2 = 6 kg B ha-1) and their combinations on nodulation and yield attributes of soybean. Number of nodules plant-1, number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, stover yield, biological yield and harvest index increased significantly up to 60 kg P ha-1. On the other hand, number of nodules plant-1, number pods plants-1, number of seeds pod-1, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, stover yield, biological yield and harvest index of soybean were enhanced significantly up to 4 kg B ha-1. The combination of 60 kg P ha-1 and 4 kg B ha-1 depicted the highest number of nodules (177.8), plant height (75.60 cm), number of pods plant-1 (92.72), number of seeds pod-1 (2.92), weight of 1000-seed (155.3 g) seed yield (1.91 t ha-1), stover yield (2.98 t ha-1), biological yield (4.89 t ha-1) and harvest index (39.06%). Thus, the combined application of 60 kg P ha-1 and 4 kg B ha-1 could be the optimum for getting maximum yield of soybean.
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2020, 23(2): 127-133

Growth and yield performance of chickpea varieties (CicerarietinumL.) under rainfedand irrigated conditions

Water scarcity is the most common abiotic stress limiting chickpea production which is usually grown under the residual soil moisture. Considering this point, the present study was undertaken to determine the effect of irrigation levels on growth and yield of chickpea varieties. The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from November 2016 to March 2017. The experiment comprised of four varieties such as BARI Chola-5, BARI Chola-9, BINA Chola-4 and BINA Chola-7 and three irrigation levels viz. one irrigation at pre-flowering stage, two irrigations at pre-flowering and pod formation stages and rainfed condition. The results revealed that irrigation treatments had significant effect on growth parameters (plant height, nodule number and dry matter production). Among the yield and yield contributing characters, the highest number of pods plant-1 (48.67), number of seeds pod-1 (1.44), seed yield (1.25 t ha-1 ) and stover yield (2.85 t ha-1 ) were found from BARI Chola-9. Accordingly, highest number of pods plant-1 (49.75), number of seeds pod-1 (1.53), seed yield (1.32 t ha-1 ) and stover yield (2.94 t ha-1 ) were found from two irrigations (pre-flowering and pod formation stages). The lowest seed yield (0.63 t ha-1 ) and stover yield (1.63 t ha1 ) were found from BINA Chola-4 with rainfed condition while the highest seed yield (1.59 t ha-1 ) and stover yield (3.46 t ha-1 ) were found from BARI Chola-9 with two irrigations (pre-flowering and pod formation stage).Considering the above results, it can be suggested that BARI Chola-9 cultivation with applying supplemental irrigation before flowering and pod formation stages may be useful for yield maximization of chickpea.

Cumulative Effect of Botanical Seed Pelleting and Foliar Spray on Morpho Physiological, Leaf Chlorophyll, Gas Exchange and Yield Parameters in Black gram

Background: Black gram is one of the important pulse crops of the world and India is the major producer and consumer of pulses in the world. One of the main reason for low productivity of pulses is that they are cultivated mostly in areas with low soil moisture and poor soil fertility. In order to overcome such adverse conditions, low-cost techniques like seed hardening/pelleting are preferred. Seed pelleting provides package of nutrients that influences seed or soil at the seed-soil interface. Since the cost involved is very less, an attempt has been made to study the effect of botanical seed pelleting and foliar spary on growth and yield parameters in black gram cv. CO 6. Methods: Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the cumulative effect of botanical seed pelleting with pungam leaf powder @ 150g kg-1 and foliar spray of prosopis and moringa leaf powders with different concentrations (2%, 4%, 6% and 8%) on morpho physiological, leaf chlorophyll, gas exchange and yield parameters in black gram cv. CO 6 in the study. The observations on morpho physiological, leaf chlorophyll, gas exchange and yield parameters were recorded, statistically analysed and discussed here.Result: From the results, it was found that among the treatments, seed pelleting with pungam leaf powder @ 150 g kg-1 + foliar spray of prosopis leaf powder @ 6% recorded higher morpho physiological parameters viz., plant height (48.73 cm), number of branches plant-1 (8.78), dry matter production (14.83 g plant-1), chlorophyll ‘a’ (1.03 mg g-1), chlorophyll ‘b’ (1.11 mg g-1) and total chlorophyll content (2.14 mg g-1), photosynthesis and transpiration rates (27.33 mg CO2 m-2 s-1 and 10.60 mg H2O m-2 s-1), intercellular CO2 concentration and stomatal conductance (274.30 µ mol mol-1 and 0.82 mol-2 s-1). This treatment also recorded lower number of days to first flowering (23.23 days), earliness in 50 per cent flowering (30.12 days) and also recorded higher yield parameters such as lengthier pods, more number of pods plant-1, pod yield plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, seed yield plant-1, seed yield ha-1 and hundred seed weight of 5.60 cm, 26.30, 8.20 g, 7.30, 5.30 g, 795.12 kg ha-1 and 5.83 g, respectively as compared to other treatments. To conclude, seed pelleting with pungam leaf powder @ 150 g kg-1 + foliar spray of prosopis leaf powder @ 6% proved to be the best in enhancing morpho physiological, growth and yield parameters.

Genetic variability and heritability estimates of morphological traits in F2 populations of rapeseed (Brassica carinata L.)

This study aimed to estimate genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for morphological characters in Brassica carinata L. A total of 22 genotypes comprised of six parental lines and their 16 bulk F2 populations were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications at The University of Agriculture Peshawar during 2013-14. Data were recorded on days to 50% flowering, primary branches plant-1, main raceme length, pods on main raceme, pod length, number of seeds pod-1, 100-seed weight, and seed yield plant-1. Significant genetic differences were observed for all the traits studied. Among parental lines, C-93 performed better for primary branches plant-1 (11 branches), main raceme length (59.57 cm), pods on main raceme-1 (33 pods), and seeds pod-1 (15 seeds), C-95 for pod length (4.04 cm) and seed yield plant-1 (12.26 g). Among F2 populations, C-97 x C-88 performed better for main raceme length (73.20 cm), pods on main raceme (41 pods), C-88 x C-93 for pod length (4.95 cm), seeds pod-1 (18 seeds), and seed yield plant-1 (14.71 g). Moderate (30 < h2 ≤ 60) to high (h2 > 60) broad-sense heritability was observed for all morphological traits with maximum genetic advance, hence indicated that selection could be effective in the early generation for the improvements of these studied traits. Generally, cross combinations C-88 x C-93, C-97 x C-95, C-90 x C-93, and C-97 x C-88 performed better than their parental lines for morphological (primary branches plant-1, seeds pod-1, and seed yield plant-1) traits and could be exploited for varietal development in future brassica breeding programs.

Performance of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] under Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Management in Semi- Arid Tropical Conditions in Central India

Soybean is an important leguminous and oilseed crop of India and extensively grown all over Madhya Pradesh due to its wide adaptability to agro-climatic conditions. However a continuous decline in soybean productivity has been observed and nutrient imbalance is one of the important identified factors. The present study was conducted to explore the nutrient management option for sustained productivity of soybean. The performance of soybean crop under various nutrient management practices was studied with 9 different combinations of five levels of nitrogen (0, 20, 30, 40 and 60 kg ha-1), five levels of phosphorous (0, 13, 20, 26 and 35 kg ha-1), two levels of farm yard manure (0 and 6t ha-1) and two levels of crop residue (0 and 5t ha-1) replicated thrice. These combinations were T1-N0P0 (unfertilized control); T2-N20P13; T3-N30P20; T4-N40P26; T5-N60P35; T6-FYM6t+T2; T7-Residues 5t+T2; T8-FYM @ 6t ha-1 and T9-Crop residues 5t ha-1. The performance of soybean and change in soil properties were studied. The results revealed that, the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer application positively influenced the plant height, number of branches, number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, yield and test weight of soybean. Further, the combined application of FYM and inorganic fertilizers improved the soil organic carbon and nutrient availability.