Number Of Tillers Research Articles

The effects of microalgae use as a biofertilizer on soil and plant before and after its anaerobic (co-)digestion with food waste

The increase in food waste generation has resulted in significant challenges for its sustainable management. Anaerobic digestion coupled with microalgae-based ponds for digestate treatment can be used as a low-cost eco-friendly technology approach. In this case, microalgal biomass harvested from the ponds may be valorized into bioenergy (biogas) and soil conditioner and/or biofertilizers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the microalgal biomass produced from a food waste digestate treatment ponds as agricultural fertilizer. For this purpose, microalgal biomass was tested before and after anaerobic digestion and co-digestion with food waste, exploring its potential for valorization. The inorganic fertilizer urea and soil with no fertilization were also used as treatments. The experimental design consisted of applying the treatments in pots cultivated with hybrid grass Brachiaria cv. Sabiá and distributed in randomized blocks in a controlled greenhouse. Microalgal biomass was mainly composed by Scenedesmus sp.. The assessed parameters showed comparable results on plant growth (i.e. number of tillers, fresh and dry matter and Chlorophyll content index) for fresh and digested microalgal biomass and inorganic fertilizer. Furthermore, it was observed that fresh microalgae provided the highest Phosphorus content in the leaf (21 %). Additionally, there were increases of 9 % in Nitrogen and 12 % in organic matter in the soil after applying digested microalgae compared to the control group without any fertilization. Finally, experimental data obtained suggests that microalgae-based biofertilizer holds the potential to replace inorganic fertilizer as a nutrient source. Moreover, it contributes to the valorization of by-products from organic waste treatment.

Effect of Rhizobium Bacteria Inoculation Rate on Yield and Yield Components of Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.) at Awi Zone, Ethiopia

Field peas (Pisum sativum L.) is economically a significant crop in Ethiopia. The yield of field peas in our country has fell due to poor management practices of Bio fertilizer rates usage. Three rates of bio fertilizer (0, 250 and 500g ha-1) were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Number of nodules per plant, Pod numbers per plant, plant height, and effective nodule number of productive tillers, total biomass yield, grain yield, and straw yield were recorded and significantly affected by bio-fertilizer rate application. The determined or the highest grain yield (2671kg ha-1) was recorded from 250 g ha-1 bio-fertilizer rate. Almost 250g ha-1 bio fertilizer rates were superior for the research area. Nevertheless, more investigation has to be done under different locations and seasons to come up with practical recommendations correlated to the current study.

Effect of Organic Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Foxtail Millet

The field experiment was conducted during ZAID (Summer) season of 2023 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy. The treatments consisting of three different organic manures Viz., FYM- 8 t/ha, Vermicompost- 2.5 t/ha, Poultry manure- 1.3 t/ha and three different liquid Organic manures viz Vermiwash - 5%, Panchagavya - 3%, Jeevamrutha- 500 l/ha. The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design 10 treatments each replicated thrice. Application of Vermicompost- 2.5 t/ha + Panchagavya - 3% (Treatment 5) recorded highest plant height (71.00 cm), maximum plant dry weight (5.54 g), maximum number of tillers/ hill (6.67), length of ears (8.67 cm), number of grains/ear (295.67), test weight (3.37 g), grain yield (1.40 t/ha), straw yield (2.73 t/ha) were recorded in treatment Maximum gross return (INR 78,200.00), net return (INR 53.002.00) and B:C ratio (2.10) were also recorded in same treatment.

Utilization of Rhodopseudomonas palustris in Crop Rotation Practice Boosts Rice Productivity and Soil Nutrient Dynamics

Using beneficial microorganisms, such as purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB), has shown enormous potential for improving plant growth and agricultural production. However, the full extent of their benefits and interactions with agricultural practices is yet to be fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate the use of PNSB in crop rotation practice, focusing on its impact on rice growth and yield. The experiment was conducted over two rice cropping seasons, with djulis grown between the rice as a rotation crop. The study shows that PNSB treatment increased the concentration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) in plants, indicating enhanced photosynthesis. Moreover, when combined with crop rotation, PNSB remarkably improved soil fertility. These combined benefits resulted in substantial increases in tiller numbers (163%), leaf chlorophyll content (13%), and lodging resistance (66%), compared to the untreated plants. The combined treatment also resulted in higher productive tillers per hill (112%), average grain per hill (65%), and grain fertility (26%). This led to increased grain yield (65%), shoot dry weight (15%), and harvest index (37%). The findings clearly suggest that the incorporation of PNSB in crop rotation strategies can significantly augment the growth and yield of rice crops. These insights, pivotal for sustainable rice cultivation, hold the potential to simultaneously tackle the pressing issues of global food security and climate change.

Reducing Methane Emissions with Humic Acid–Iron Complex in Rice Cultivation: Impact on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Rice Yield

Methane emissions from flooded rice paddies are a major source of atmospheric methane and represent a significant greenhouse gas with high climate-forcing potential due to anthropogenic activities globally. For sustainable agriculture, it is necessary to find effective methods for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions without reducing crop productivity. We investigated mechanisms to reduce methane emissions during rice cultivation by applying rice straw, rice husk biochar, humic acid, and a humic acid–iron complex, assessing greenhouse gases and rice yield over a single season. The results demonstrated that the treatment plots with rice straw and the humic acid–iron complex significantly reduced methane emissions (563 ± 113.9 kg ha−1) by 34.4% compared to plots treated with rice straw alone (859 ± 126.4 kg ha−1). Rice yield was not compromised compared to the control group treated with only NPK fertilizer, and growth in terms of plant height and tiller number was enhanced in the plots treated with rice straw and the humic acid–iron complex. Conversely, the plots treated solely with rice husk biochar and humic acid did not show a methane reduction effect when compared to the NPK treatment. The humic acid–iron complex has demonstrated potential as a methane mitigation agent with practical applicability in the field, warranting further long-term studies to validate its effectiveness.

Effect of Productive Tillers on Seed Yield and Seed Quality of Sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor L</i>.) Varieties in Assosa District, Western Ethiopia

Poor management of sorghum tillers is a significant problem in the Benishangul-Gumuz region of Ethiopia, affecting seed yield and quality. An experiment was conducted to determine the impact of sorghum productive tillers on seed yield and quality. The study involved two Sorghum varieties (Assosa-1 and Adukara) and three plant types per spot. The treatments were aligned as RCBD and CRD in factorial combination, replicated three and four times for field and laboratory experiments respectively. Varieties influenced TSW (P < 0.0001), Number of tiller influenced by number plants head matured for seed production (P ≤ 0.0001), plants height (P ≤ 0.0004), The interaction effects of varieties and number of tillers per plant influenced yields, Panicle length (P < 0.0001). For laboratory experiments varieties influenced Speed of germination (P < 0.0001), number of Dead seeds (P < 0.0001). Number of tiller influenced Speed of germination (P < 0.0001), number of Dead seeds, shoot length (P < 0.004), Vigor index one and Vigor index two (P≤0.05). The interaction effects of varieties and number of tillers per plant influenced Standard germination (P < 0.001). The main shoot plants had the highest number of fertile sorghum heads (86.5), followed by primary tillers (27.08). Secondary tillers had the highest plant height (96.52 cm). The main shoot plant yielded more seeds than primary and secondary tillers, with the shoot exceeding these yields by 302.96% and 1333%, respectively. Primary and secondary tillers had higher percentages of dead seeds than the main shoot plant, 53.5% and 45.2%, respectively. The primary and secondary tillers experienced a decline in seedling vigour index one over different periods, while the main sorghum plant varieties, Adukara and Assosa-1, showed an upward trend. The germination percentages of the primary and secondary tillers were less than the 85% Ethiopian seed standard requirement. Because sorghum tillers lower seed quality, they should be eliminated for seed production. If sorghum is grown for grain production, secondary tillers have the benefit of raising overall yield production.

Yield Maximization of Rice (Oryza sativa) through Integrated Nutrient Management

This experiment was conducted on a permanent layout at the west byde of BRRI farm, Gazipur during T. Aman 2019 to Boro 2021-22 to find out the suitable management practices for yield maximization of rice and soil health. Seven treatments in Randomized Complete Block (RCB) Design with three replications were imposed and each treatment was assigned in 5m × 4m sized plot. The treatments combinations were T1= Absolute Control (No nutrient supply), T2 = BRRI dose N-P-K-S@83-17-53-12 kg ha-1 in T. Aman and 138-21-75-21 kg ha-1 in Boro season, T3= Soil Test Based (STB) Fertilizer Dose N-P-K-S @ 67-10-40-10 kg ha-1 in T. Aman and 134-16-75-10 kg ha-1 in Boro, T4 = STB dose + 1 t ha-1 Cowdung, T5 = STB dose + 1 t ha-1 Poultry manure, T6 = STB dose + 1 t ha-1 Vermicompost and T7 = STB dose + 0.33 t ha-1 CD + 0.33 t ha-1 PM + 0.33 t ha-1 VC. Thirty-days old seedling of BRRI dhan87 in T. Aman and fourty-two days old seedling of BRRI dhan89 in Boro season were transplanted at 20 cm × 20 cm spacing in both seasons. All manures, soil and plant samples analysis were done by the help of soil Science Division BRRI, Gazipur. Initial soil (0-15 cm depth) properties were: soil texture, clay loam; pH, 6.94; organic Carbon, 1.59%; Nitrogen, 0.18%; Phosphorus, 21.88 ppm and Potassium, 0.19meq/100g soil. Thirty days old seedling of BRRI dhan87 in T. Aman and 42 days old seedling of BRRI dhan89 in Boro season were transplanted at 20cm x 20cm spacing. Grain yield, tiller number, panicle number, plant height and grain number were significantly affected by the different integrated nutrient management during both T. Aman and Boro season. Grain yield, tiller number, panicle number, plant height and grain number were significantly affected by the different nutrient management in both T. Aman and Boro season. Poultry manure related treatments and BRRI recommended dose performed better than the others in all the parameter except 1000-grain weight. On the other hand, Absolute Control (No nutrient supply) produced the lowest result. Every parameter, Poultry manure treatments have been performed the best. STB dose with one t ha-1 poultry manure is better for maximization of rice yield.

Effect of Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Foxtail Millet

The field experiment was conducted during ZAID season 2023 at experimental field of Crop Research Farm, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. In the present study, the treatments consisting three levels of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) viz., 100% RDF (60-30-30 Kg/ha), 75% RDF (45-22.5-22.5 Kg/ha) and 50% RDF (30-15-15 kg/ha) along with three different micro nutrients viz., Zinc - 0.5 kg/ha, Boron - 0.5 kg/ha and Iron - 0.5 kg/ha. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 10 treatments each replicated thrice. The soil of experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.3), low available nitrogen (278.93 kg/ha), medium available phosphorus (15.4 kg/ha) and medium available potassium (173.7 kg/ha). Results revealed that higher plant height (84.20 cm), plant dry weight (10.61 g), number of tillers/ hill (4.53), length of ears (9.20 cm), number of ears/plant (4.47), test weight (3.47 g), grain yield (1.22 t/ha), straw yield (2.80 t/ha) were recorded in treatment 8 (NPK 100% RDF+ Boron 0.5 kg/ha). Maximum gross return (INR 48,408.33), net return (INR 30,913.33) and B:C ratio (1.77) were also recorded in treatment 8 (NPK 100% RDF + Boron 0.5 kg/ha). It can be concluded that the application of NPK 100% RDF +Boron 0.5kg/ha (Treatment 8) recorded higher yield and benefit cost ratio in Foxtail millet.

Phyllostachys edulis argonaute genes function in the shoot architecture

Argonaute (AGO) proteins are the core components of the RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISC) in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and are necessary for the development of plant shoot meristem, which gives rise to the above-ground plant body. In this study, we identified 23 Phyllostachys edulis AGO genes (PhAGOs) that were distributed unequally on the 14 unmapped scaffolds. Gene collinearity and phylogeny analysis showed that the innovation of PhAGO genes was mainly due to dispersed duplication and whole-genome duplication, which resulted in the enlarged PhAGO family. PhAGO genes were expressed in a temporal-spatial expression pattern, and they encoded proteins differently localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus. Overexpression of the PhAGO2 and PhAGO4 genes increased the number of tillers or leaves in Oryza sativa and affected the shoot architecture of Arabidopsis thaliana. These results provided insight into the fact that PhAGO genes play important roles in plant development.

MpNAC1, a transcription factor from the mangrove associate Millettia pinnata, confers salt and drought stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis and rice

Pongamia (Millettia pinnata Syn. Pongamia pinnata), a mangrove associate plant, exhibits good stress tolerance, making it a treasure of genetic resources for crop improvement. NAC proteins are plant-specific transcription factors, which have been elucidated to participate in the regulation and tolerance of abiotic stresses (such as salt and drought). Here, we identified a salt-induced gene from Pongamia, MpNAC1, which encodes an NAC factor sharing five highly conserved domains with other NACs and exhibits close homology to AtNAC19/AtNAC55/AtNAC72 in Arabidopsis. MpNAC1 showed nuclear localization and transcriptional activator activity. MpNAC1-overexpressing Arabidopsis exhibited significantly stronger salt and drought tolerance compared with wild-type plants. The expression levels of stress-responsive genes were activated in transgenic Arabidopsis. Furthermore, the heterologous expression of MpNAC1 also enhanced the salt and drought tolerance of transgenic rice. The major agronomic traits, such as plant height and tiller number, panicle length, grain size, and yield, were similar between the transgenic lines and wild type under normal field growth conditions. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that MpNAC1 significantly up-regulated stress-responsive genes and activated the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, resulting in increased stress tolerance. Taken together, the MpNAC1 increased salt and drought stress tolerance in transgenic plants and did not retard the plant growth and development under normal growth conditions, suggesting the potential of MpNAC1 in breeding stress-resilient crops.

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.

Effect of Biochar Application on Performance of Rice in a Vertisol of Central India

The present investigation was carried out at the Research Farm of ICAR- Indian Institute of Soil Science (ICAR-IISS), Bhopal (M.P.) during the Kharif seasons of 2021 and 2022 and performance of rice crop under the application of biochar in combinations of farm yard manure and chemical fertilizers was studied. The field experiment consisted of 12 treatments involving three doses of biochar (0, 4 and 8 tha-1) with and without fertilizer (0 or 120:60:40 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1) and manure (0, 5 t ha-1) in four replications. Rice (cv. PB 1121) was grown consecutively for two years and various parameters viz., plant height, green seeker, number of tillers, earhead length, grains per earhead, seed index and grain yield, straw yield, total biomass and harvest index were evaluated. The results revealed that, among the parameters studied except harvest index, all parameters were influenced positively upon biochar application.

Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen on Growth, Yield and Productivity of Wheat (Triticum estivum L.) Cv. Koshan-02

The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different levels (0, 50, 70, 90 & 110 kg N ha-1) of Nitrogen (N) on growth, yield and yield related parameters of wheat (cv. Koshan-02) in Kabul agro-climate condition at the Agricultural Research Farm of Kabul University, during spring 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, each replication consisted of five treatments. Total treatments were (15). The size of each plot was (2mx3m=6m2). The result of our study revealed that the plots treated with highest level (110 kg N ha-1) of N fertilizers produced the highest plant height (85.97cm). maximum number of grains spike-1 (35.74), the highest dry matter (3.937t ha-1), The highest number of tillers m-2 (152.76 m-2), 1000-grain weight (48.94g), grain yield (2891.1kg/ha) large spike length (10.52), number of grains spikelet-1 (2.98), Spikelet number spike-1 (11.54), followed by T4, T3 and T2. It was concluded that all treatments have ranked regarding their efficient effects as ((T5 (110 kg N ha-1> T4 (90 kg N ha-1> T3 (70 kg N ha-1> T2 (50 kg N ha_1> TControl) for all growth, yield and yield helping attributes such as plant height, number of grains spike-1, dry matter (kg ha-1), number of tillers plant-1, 1000-grain weight(g), grain yield (kg ha-1), spike length (cm), number of grains spikelet-1, number of spikelet spike-1, spike number m-2 and number of leaves plant_1. So, for obtaining aimed and desirable yield the application of (110 kg N ha-1) is recommended under research area conditions (Agro-Climatic Condition).

Identification of Transgressive Segregation for Yield and Resistance to Yellow Stem Borer (Scirpophaga incertulas Walker) in F2 Segregating Generation of Six Rice Crosses (Oryza sativa L.)

The research investigation on the occurrence of transgressive segregation in F2 populations derived from six rice crosses namely: ADT 43 X TKM 6, ADT 43 X ASD 12, ADT 45 X TKM 6, ADT 45 X ASD 12, ASD 16 X TKM 6 and ASD 16 X ASD 12 with the aim of identifying superior genotypes for yield and resistance to the yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas). This research was conducted through series of field observations for transgressive segregants at Plant Breeding Farm, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University during Kharif season of 2022. The crosses involved high-yielding but susceptible female parents (ADT 43, ADT 45, ASD 16) and YSB resistant but low yielding male parents (TKM 6, ASD 12). In the F2 generation, a wide range of phenotypes was observed for yield-related traits and YSB resistance. Twelve superior transgressive segregants were identified in each cross, exhibiting increased grain yield per plant, number of productive tillers, and number of grains per panicle, coupled with high levels of resistance to YSB. The results suggest that the parents carried different alleles and genes governing yield and its component traits, allowing the accumulation of favorable alleles in the F2 progeny through recombination. The identification of these high-performing transgressive segregants provides opportunities for further evaluation and potential use in rice breeding programs to develop improved cultivars with enhanced yield and biotic stress resistance.

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.

Effect of Foxtail Millet Cultivars on Yield and Yield Attributes under Different Sowing Windows

The investigation conducted at the Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Pune, during the Kharif season of 2022 focused on the "Effect of foxtail millet cultivars on yield and yield attributes under different sowing windows." The study employed a split-plot design with sixteen treatments and three replications, involving four sowing dates (26 MW, 28 MW, 30 MW, and 32 MW) and four foxtail millet varieties (SiA 3156, SiA 3085, Suryanandi, and Renadu). The soil, a clay loam with slightly alkaline pH, low nitrogen, medium phosphorus, and high potassium levels, received RDF 60:30:30 N: P2O5: K2O kg ha-1 at sowing. The investigation monitored various growth parameters, including plant height, number of tillers, number of functional leaves, and dry matter accumulation, at different growth stages. The study revealed that early sowing at 26 MW significantly influenced plant height, number of tillers, and dry matter production, favoring greater vegetative growth. The Renadu variety consistently exhibited superior performance in plant height, tiller count, and dry matter accumulation compared to other varieties. Days to 50% flowering and maturity were significantly affected by both sowing dates and varieties, with early-sown crops taking more days to reach these stages. Grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index were influenced by sowing dates and varieties, with the combination of the Renadu variety and 26 MW sowing exhibiting the highest grain yield and straw yield. Renadu also displayed a superior harvest index, emphasizing its suitability for optimal growth and yield. The study recommends sowing foxtail millet on 26 MW or 28 MW, particularly with the Renadu variety, for achieving maximum growth and yield during the Kharif season. The findings highlight the significance of considering both sowing windows and foxtail millet varieties to optimize production in the given agro-climatic conditions of Pune, Maharashtra.

Farmers participatory evaluation of bread wheat varieties through seed producer cooperatives: evidence from Ethiopia

The limited engagement of farmers and their community agents in the process of variety development and evaluation is one of the main factors for lower rates of variety adoption, which resulted in lower crop productivity. Participatory bread wheat variety evaluation was jointly conducted by breeders, members of seed producer cooperative (SPC) and local experts with the objectives to identify farmers’ selection criteria, to assess farmers’ preferred varieties and to increase the SPC’s variety portfolios. Twelve released bread wheat varieties were evaluated during 2019 cropping season at Sekela district of Amhara region, Ethiopia. Pair-wise ranking was used to identify farmers’ selection criteria and direct matrix ranking to prioritize those selected criteria. Varieties were planted in two sets with and without lime application. Grain yield, followed by earliness, disease tolerance, and tillering capacity, was identified the first preferred criterion by farmers. The mean values showed that higher yield was recorded with the lime application compared to no lime application. Lemu (6.4 t/ha), Alidoro (6.3 t/ha), Dambal (6.3 t/ha), Obora (6.1 t/ha) and Liben (6.1 t/ha) had greater yield with lime application. The t-test results indicated that significant difference between with and without liming for the number of tillers per plant, spike length per plant, plant height, 1000 seed weight, and hectoliter weight, but non-significant difference for grain yield. The selected varieties should be included in the production plan of the cooperatives for large scale production to increase the variety portfolios and to address the demand of the farming community.

Path Coefficient Correlation and Genetic Divergence in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Genetic variation, heritability, genetic advance, correlation coefficient, path coefficient analysis and genetic divergence studied in wheat during rabi 2015-16 at oilseed farm of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture &Technology, Kanpur (U.P). A collection of fifty wheat genotypes from different eco-geographic origin were evaluated for ten quantitative characters viz. days to 50 % flowering, days to reproductive phase, days to maturity, plant height (cm), number of reproductive tillers per plant, spike length (cm), number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike (gm.), test weight (gm.) and grain yield per plant (gm.).All the characters, under study showed considerable amount of variability, phenotypic coefficient of variability was higher than genotypic coefficient of variability.These traits exhibited higher variation for GCV and PCV across the environments. A persual of coeffiecient of variability indicates that PCV and GCV were quiet high for grain yield per plant. Moderate PCV and GCV were recorded in spike length and grain weight per spike and the lowest observed in days to maturityand days to 50% flowering. A high estimate of heritability was found for grain yield per plant. Genetic advance confirms the heritability estimate. High genetic advance was observed for grain yield (30.16) and minimum in days to reproductive phase (2.27). Genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than the corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficients for all the character combinations. Grain yield per plant showed highly positive association ship with plant height, spike length, grain weight per spike and number of grains per spike grain weight per spike. Genetic divergence was determined using D2 and all the fifty genotypes were grouped into eight clusters. Maximum inter cluster distances were observed betweenVI and VIII followed by cluster VII and VIII and cluster V and VIII. Cluster VII retains highest rank in spike length and grains per spike. Cluster-V holds first rank in days to flowering and days to maturity.On the basis of genetic divergence , it is suggested that the crosses between VIII ,VII , VI and V may be effective components in hybridization.

Alternative Agronomic Management Practices Through Fertilizer, Irrigation, and Plant Density Adjustments for Hybrid Fodder Sorghum (<em>Sorghum bicolor</em> L. Moench)

Purpose: The basal fertilizer recommendation for growing hybrid fodder sorghum varieties in uplands involves relatively high quantities of Urea, TSP, and MOP, with rates of 100:90:65 kg/ha for SX-17 and 150:62:37 kg/ha for Dairy green. For both initial and ratoon crops, it is recommended to apply 150 kg/ha of urea as a top dressing. This study investigated the impact of reducing the fertilizer application rate to 75% and employing alternative agronomic practices on hybrid fodder sorghum varieties grown in lowland fallow paddy fields in the dry zone during the Yala and third seasons.Research Method: The agronomic management practices, including four basal fertilizer rates (Urea:TSP: MOP) of 100:90:65 (BD1), 150:62:37 (BD2), 75:68:49 (BD3), and 113:47:28 (BD4); two top-dressing urea fertilizer rates of 150 (TD1) and 112.5 kg/ha (TD2); two plant spacing configurations of 45x30 (WS) and 45x15 cm (NS); and two irrigation interval regimes, 5 days up to 30 days followed by 8 days (SI) and 7 days up to 30 days followed by 10 days (LI) were investigated. These factors were combined into four agronomic management packages: AMP1 (BD1, TD1, WS, SI), AMP2 (BD2, TD1, NS, SI), AMP3 (BD3, TD2, WS, LI), and AMP4 (BD4, TD2, NS, LI). The study used a split-plot design with three replicates and assessed various parameters, including plant height, stem diameter, plant weight, leaf area index (LAI), number of tillers, and fodder yield in both the initial fodder sorghum crop and the first ratoon crop. The crops were harvested when 50% of the panicles on the plants were at the milk and dough grain stages.Findings: The initial crop exhibited significantly heavier plants having wider stems when grown with higher fertilizer rates, wider plant spacing, and shorter irrigation intervals in AMP1. Irrespective of fertilizer rate and irrigation interval, the initial crops tended to have higher LAI with narrow plant spacing in AMP2 and AMP4. In the ratoon crops, wider plant spacing in AMP1 and AMP3 resulted in clumps with a greater number of tillers and heavier plants. However, the ratoon crops also exhibited higher LAI with narrow plant spacing in AMP2 and AMP4. Total fodder dry matter yield (DMY) in AMP2 and AMP4 with narrow plant spacing was significantly greater for both varieties. Furthermore, the DMY was not affected by fertilizer rate and irrigation interval.Value: Hybrid fodder sorghum varieties (SX-17 and Dairygreen) cultivated at higher plant density, along with reduced fertilizer (75%) and irrigation, can produce comparable fodder yield (21.1 and 26.1 MT/ha, respectively) to those grown at lower plant density with more fertilizer and irrigation (24.6 and 28.1 MT/ha, respectively) in lowland paddy fields during Yala and third seasons in the dry zone.

Effect of Sowing Direction and Wheat Cultivars on Growth and Yield in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

A field experiment was carried out during rabi season where different wheat cultivars (PBW-343, HUW-234 and NW-1012) and direction of sowing (E-W and N-S) were taken in Factorial Randomized Block Design replicated four times. All the yield attributing characters like number of effective tillers, spike length, number of grains spike–1, grain weight spike–1 were significantly higher under East-West direction of sowing over North-South direction of sowing. Among the all cultivars PBW-343 was found significantly superior over NW-1012 and HUW-234. The grain yield, straw yield and light intensity were increased significantly under East-West direction of sowing and among the cultivars PBW-343 recorded significantly higher value of above characters over NW-1012 and HUW-234. Maximum heat unit requirement and days taken to 50% ear emergence and maturity was recorded under North-South direction of sowing and among the cultivars it was found maximum in PBW-343. The maximum net return and B:C ratio were obtained in E-W direction of sowing along with PBW-343 cultivar. Thus it may be revealed that sowing in East-West direction with cultivar PBW-343 was found most suitable for cultivation under Indo-Gangetic Plains of India.