Productivity Of Black Gram Research Articles

Automation of Seed Priming Technology for Enhanced Seed Vigour of Blackgram Seeds

Background: Seed priming technique involves soaking of seeds in priming agent to a point where germination related metabolic activities occur in the seeds followed by drying of imbibed seeds to original moisture to prevent the radical protrusion and facilitate storage of primed seed. Draining of priming agent and drying of large quantity of primed seeds is a laborious and time consuming process. The current study was aimed to standardize automation of seed priming process by utilizing house-hold top loading washing machine. Methods: The top loading washing machine referred to as Seed Priming Cabinet, contained a priming drum with provision for draining water. On completion of the soaking period, the ‘SPIN’ button was pressed by setting the duration of spin drying (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 min.). Then the seeds were removed from the drum of priming cabinet and subjected to shade drying so as to reach the original moisture content and evaluated for seed quality parameters. Result: The blackgram seed subjected to conventional hydropriming was compared with automatic seed priming for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 min. and observed that hydropriming and spin drying for 3 min. was found to be optimum and the per cent increase in germination recorded over control was 18.0 per cent thus suggesting that automation of seed priming technology can be recommended for enhanced seed vigour and crop productivity of blackgram.

Evaluation of different organic nutrient solutions on the growth and yield of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) under irrigated condition

Organic cultivation eliminates the use of synthetic products to maximize the yields that can be produced rather sustains yield and enhances the soil health. Moreover, enhancing the productivity under organic cultivation is highly essential. Therefore, a trial was conducted at the backyard of the Department of Agronomy, PAJANCOA & RI, Karaikal to study the growth and yield of irrigated blackgram in coastal deltaic region, nutrient is supplied through foliar spray of different organic nutrient solutions. From the present pot culture experiment, it could be concluded that black gram can be grown organically by following the organic nutrient management practice of either applying Farm Yard Manure @12.5 t/ha in combination with foliar spraying of coconut butter milk solution @5% on 15, 30 and 45 DAS of Black gram or spraying of 5% coconut butter milk solution alone or spraying of 0.5% fish extract alone on 15, 30 and 45 DAS of black gram for increased productivity in the coastal region of Karaikal. However, owing to the additional cost involved in the basal application of farmyard manure recommended level @ 12.5 t/ha it is suggested that foliar spraying of either 5% coconut butter milk solution or 0.5% fish extract on 15, 30 and 45 DAS of Black gram may be followed as the best organic nutrient management practices for increased productivity of Black gram in the central region of Karaikal, Pondicherry, India.

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.

Effect of phospho enriched compost and zinc on soil properties and productivity of blackgram (Vigna mungo)

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2018 at Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur (Rajasthan), to study the effect of phospho enriched compost and zinc on soil properties and productivity of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) in Typic Haplustepts soil of sub-humid southern plain of Rajasthan. The treatments comprised of four levels of phospho enriched compost (PEC), i.e. control, PEC @ 2, 4 and 6 t/ha and four levels of zinc i.e. control, Zn @ 2, 4 and 6 kg/ha.The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed significant increase in soil available nitrogen, potassium and zinc content with increasing levels of phospho enriched compost and zinc up to 4 t/ha and 4 kg/ha, respectively and also significantly enhanced the crop yield, protein content and economics of blackgram. However, interactive effect of the seed and stover yield was found to be significantly higher in combined application of phospho enriched compost @ 6 t/ha and zinc @ 6 kg/ ha as compared to other combinations of phospho enriched compost and zinc. The application of phospho enriched compost @ 4 t/ha and zinc @ 4 kg/ha along with the recommended dose of fertilizer results in significantly higher productivity, protein content and economics of blackgram under Typic Haplustepts soil.

Effect of Seed Treatment and Nutrient Schedule on the Productivity of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)

Background: Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) is an important short duration crop and is grown throughout the country. Seed treatment can improve seedling establishment and better crop stand; it also improves plants ability to tolerate stress at early growth stages and foliar application has the advantage of quick and efficient utilization of nutrients, elimination of nutrient losses through leaching and fixation in soil and also helps in regulating the uptake of nutrients by plants thus improving productivity. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2018 at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram to assess the effect of different levels of seed treatments and nutrient schedule on the growth and yield of blackgram. The growth attributes, yield attributes and yield viz., number of pods per plant, seeds per pod, length of pod, 100 seed weight, grain yield, haulm yield and harvest index were favorably influenced by the treatments. Result: Seed treatment with borax @ 1 g kg-1 seed and sodium molybdate @ 1 g kg-1 seed were observed superior in increasing plant height (135.84 cm), number of trifoliate leaves per plant (7.61), pods per plant (24.16), length of pod (5.23 cm), 100 seed weight (6.74 g), grain yield (1005 kg ha-1) and harvest index (0.38). Significantly higher nodule number (41.83), effective nodule number (33.83) and weight of nodules (58.83 mg) plant-1 at flowering were documented with sodium molybdate @ 1 g kg-1 seed. In case of seeds per pod significantly higher number of pods per plant (7.33) was observed with borax @ 2 g kg-1 seed and maximum haulm yield (1854 kg ha-1) reported with sodium molybdate @ 1 g kg-1 seed. The basal application of ½ N + full P + ½ K followed by ½ N and ½ K as foliar spray of 13:0:45 at 15, 30, 45 and 60 DAS produced significantly more 100 seed weight (6.52 g), grain yield (872 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (1750 kg ha-1). Interaction effect of boron and molybdenum also showed significant influence with respect to yield attributes and yield.

Effect of Different Dates of Sowing on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Various Cultivars of Kharif Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) under Amritsar Conditions

Background: Among pulses, blackgram is one of most important crop. Blackgram has originated from Indian sub-continent where it has been cultivated from ancient times and standout amongst most expensive pulse crop in India. Being observed, the productivity of blackgram is low in India as well as in Punjab due to lack of knowledge regarding various agronomic implementations, among them, time of sowing and selection of suitable cultivar are one of the major limiting factors in production, especially during kharif season. Methods: The research was carried out to investigate the effect of different dates of sowing on growth, yield attributes and yield of various cultivars of kharif blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) during kharif season 2019 at Student’s Research Farm, Department of Agriculture, Khalsa College, Amritsar. The experiment was laid-out in split-plot design, consisting of four dates of sowing (8th July, 18th July, 28th July and 8th August) as main-plot treatments and three cultivars (Mash114, Mash 338 and KUG 479) as sub-plot treatments, with four replications. Result: Among the sowing dates, the higher seed yield (10.27 q/ha) of blackgram was recorded when crop was raised on 8th July, which was significantly 12.6%, 20.3% and 30.5% higher than 18th July, 28th July and 8th August sown crop respectively. Among blackgram cultivars, the higher seed yield was observed in Mash 114 (10.19 q/ha) which was significantly 14% and 32% superior over Mash 338 and KUG 479 respectively. The sowing dates and cultivars had significant effect on the pods/plant, seeds/pod and seed weight/plant. The significantly higher number of pods/plant (24.3), seeds/pod (6.8) and seed weight/plant (3.2 g) were obtained with 8th July sown crop as compared to 28th July and 8th August sown crop. Among the cultivars, the significantly higher number of pods/plant (23.6), seeds/pod (6.4) and seed weight/plant (3.2 g) were recorded with Mash 114. The growth parameters viz. Plant height, nodules/plant, leaf area index and dry matter accumulation, were shown decreased trend by 29.2%, 19.13%, 12.2% and 25.4% respectively with the delay in sowing from 8th July to 8th August.

​Effect of Phosphorus and Sulphur Application on Growth, Yield Attributes, Nutrient Uptake, Quality and Economics of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.): A Review

Phosphorus and sulphur is a key element involved in various functions in growth and metabolism of blackgram. It is frequently a major limiting nutrient for plant growth in most Indian soils. Black gram is the major source of protein for the vegetarian diet and important pulse crop both in terms of area and production. Pulses have been in focus in recent times due to the continuous upswing in their prices. The low productivity of blackgram is due to intensive farming practices and use of exhaustive and high yield cultivars and imbalanced external fertilization. Therefore proper fertilization (site specific and balanced fertilization) is needed to increase the production and productivity of blackgram. Blackgram is very much responsive to phosphorus and sulphur application. In crop plants, the nutrient interactions are generally measured in terms of growth response, yield response and changes in concentration and uptake of nutrients. Studies have indicated synergistic effect between phosphorus and sulphur but their relationship depends on their rate of application and crop species etc. A better understanding of nutrient interaction is helpful in maximizing fertilizer use efficiency and net profit. The most of the results revealed that different levels of P and S had a significant effect on growth attributes, yield attributes, grain and haulm yield and quality prarameters of blackgram. The conjoint application up to 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 + 40 kg S ha-1 were found to be superior and synergistic in improving the growth and yield attributes of blackgram. The present paper is a critical review from research findings of eminent scientists on sulphur and phosphorus effect over black gram.

Evaluation of Integrated Seed Treatment on Seed Yield and Quality in Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)

Background: In India pulses production and productivity is low and inadequate to meet the demand of nation. The alternate option to increase the pulse production is through seed amelioration by combining the seed hardening, coating and pelleting techniques. The current study was aimed to evaluate integrated seed treatment on seed yield and quality in blackgram. Methods: The seeds were first preconditioned by keeping them in between two layers of moist gunny bag for one hour. Then, the preconditioned seeds were soaked for three hours in 100 ppm ZnSO4 solution at 1/3 volume of seeds and shade dried to their original moisture content (hardened seed). Then the hardened seeds were supplemented with Polymer 3ml/kg + Carbendazim 2g/kg + Imidacloprid 1ml/kg for integrated seed treatment and field experiments were carried out along with untreated seed. Result: Among the seed treatments, integrated seed treatment recorded higher pod set per cent (84.00), number of pods / plant (52.00 pod yield / plant (27.60 g), pod yield / ha (752 kg), number of seeds / pod (6.00), seed yield / plant (17.6 g) and seed yield /ha (590 kg) which were respectively 3.70, 8.33, 4.15, 3.01, 20.00, 4.14 and 1.89 per cent higher than mere hardened and untreated control seeds thus suggesting that integrated seed treatment can be recommended for improving the productivity of blackgram.

Cluster Frontline Demonstration: An Effective Technology Dissemination Approach for Enhancing Productivity and Profitability of Black Gram (Vigna mungo)

Background: Pulses are versatile crops that are better for nutritional security and soil health. Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) is most important pulse crop, grown throughout the country. The productivity of Black gram is low in Patan district because non-adoption of scientific technologies by the farmers like use of poor quality seeds, water stress at critical stages, imbalance use of plant nutrient, infestation of weeds and incidence of pest especially mosaic, blight, tobacco caterpillar and sucking pest.Methods: The present study was carried out by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Samoda- Ganwada, Taluka- Siddhpur, District - Patan (Gujarat) during Kharif season. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Patan (Gujarat) conducted 225 demonstrations in farmer’s field of Patan district during three years i.e., from Kharif, 2017-18, Kharif, 2018-19 and Kharif, 2019-20 on integrated crop management (ICM). Front line demonstrations on black gram were organized in nine cluster in different taluka of Patan District. The demonstrated technology is improved variety (GU-1), Optimum seed rate (20 Kg/Ha), Seed treatment by fungicide and insecticide, Soil inoculation by NPK-liquid consortia Bio fertilizer @ 5 Lit/ Ha, RDF as per STV, water management at critical stages, IWM and application of IPM module for the management of insect (Specially on Tobacco Caterpillar and pod borer) and Yellow Mosaic diseases.Result: Reduce the pest infestation under demonstrated technology of black gram resulted enhance the productivity is 24.51 per cent in demonstrated plot over farmers practice. The net return from demonstrated technology is ranged from Rs 28530 per ha in 2018-19 to Rs 36830 per ha in 2019-20 whereas in farmers practice, it was ranges from Rs 20700 in 2017-18 to Rs 30200 in 2019-20. The benefit: cost ratio of black gram cultivation under demonstrated technology was 3.10 whereas in farmer’s practices, it was 2.77.

Morphological and Yield Attribute of Blackgram Genotypes under Different Salinity Stress Conditions

Background: Blackgram is one of the important grain legumes in India. Pulses are the important source of protein for the vegetarian people. To meet out the current demand of pulses, there is a crucial need to increase the blackgram production. Mostly this crop is cultivated in marginal lands where the abiotic stresses like drought and salinity are predominant. The area under salinity in India is 6.73 million hectares and in blackgram no variety was identified as suitable for saline areas.Methods: This experiment was carried out to study the salinity tolerance levels of balckgram genotypes at vegetative and reproductive stages during Rabi season of 2018-20. A total of six blackgram genotypes were used to screen its performance under saline environment at vegetative and reproductive stage. All the genotypes were raised in pot with the size of 20 cm height and 15 cm width with four replications and salinity were stimulated artificially viz., 4.0 EC, 11.0 EC and 16.0 EC ds/m, its growth habits were observed.Conclusion: Salinity impact adversely affects blackgram genotypes under study. The number of days to survival of the plant and plant height were decreased by increasing salinity level and number of irrigation with saline water and it was reduced to ½ at 16 EC ds/m as compared to control. Days to 50% flowering, chlorophyll content and single plant yield were severally affected by increasing salt concentration. Increasing salt concentration was found directly proportionate to increasing number of days taken for flower initiation and at high level of salinity (16.0 EC ds/m) the plants dried before flowering. The plant yield was much affected by slight increase in salt concentration. At 4.0 EC ds/m level the yield was reduced to ¼ as compared to control. The 100 grain weight was not much affected by increasing salt concentration; Chlorophyll content also reduced 2/3 by increasing salt concentration after 15 DAS. The genotypes VBG-14-016 performed better under 4.0 EC ds/m level and survived for more number of days followed by the variety VBN 8.

Performance of rabi blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) to soil amendments and irrigation schedules

Field trial was carried out in split plot design at Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Lam, Guntur. The treatments comprised of irrigation schedules as main plots viz., one irrigation at pre-flowering stage (I1), one irrigation at pod formation stage (I2), two irrigations at pre-flowering and pod formation stages (I3) and soil amendments as sub plot treatments viz., soil application of humic acid @ 20 kg ha-1 (S1), soil application of hydrogel @ 2.5 kg ha-1 (S2) and soil application of FYM @ 5 t ha-1(S3). Among different irrigation schedules I3 was found to be superior in recording the highest growth parameters when compared to other two irrigation treatments. Maximum yield was recorded with (I3) which was comparable with (I1). Higher water productivity was realized with one irrigation at pre-flowering stage (I1) when compared to two irrigations at pre-flowering and pod formation stages (I3). Soil amendment hydrogel @ 2.5 kg ha-1 was found to be better in recording higher growth and yield parameters when compared to FYM @ 5 t ha-1. Significant difference in water productivity of blackgram was not observed with regard to soil amendment treatments.

Chromium stress induced oxidative burst in Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper: physio-molecular and antioxidative enzymes regulation in cellular homeostasis.

The online version of this article contains supplementary material available at (10.1007/s12298-021-00941-3).

Efficacy of Weed Management Practices on Weed Dynamics and Productivity of Blackgram

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2018 at the Agronomy Main Research Farm, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar to study the effect of Integrated weed management in blackgram. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with a total of eight treatments replicated thrice. Important predominant grass, sedge and broad-leaved weeds found in the experimental field were Eleusine indica (12.6%), Cyperus rotundus (8.9%) and Celosia argentea (9.7%), respectively. Severe weed competition in kharif blackgram recorded a yield loss of 66.7% in this experiment. Post Emergence application of Imazethapyr @ 0.75 kg/ha at 120 Days after sowing followed by one Hand Weeding at 30 DAS recorded lowest weed density (25.33 no./m2), weed dry weight (38.98 g/m2); highest weed control efficiency (83.4%) and lowest weed index (7.0%) at harvest.

Economics and Profitability of Blackgram Production in Andhra Pradesh

Blackgram is one of the important pulse crops grown throughout India, resistant to adverse climatic conditions. It is good source of vegetable protein which is three times more than the cereals. It plays an important role in Indian diet. Andhra Pradesh is one of the major blackgram producing states in India. The present study was taken up with an objective to find out the economics and profitability of blackgram in Andhra Pradesh. The data regarding cost of cultivation for combined Andhra Pradesh for different years were obtained from the Directorate of Economics and statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. The results revealed that blackgram cultivation is profitable and rice fallow pulses cropping pattern can be encouraged in the state. The comparison of the gross returns and cost of cultivation revealed positive returns indicating that blackgram cultivation is profitable.

Evaluation of Different Soil Textures in Combination with Growing Media on Growth, Yield, and Water Productivity of Blackgram

ABSTRACT The production and productivity of blackgram (Vigna mungo) are very poor and one of the important reasons is that it is cultivated on marginal lands having low soil fertility and under rainfed conditions without assured irrigation. The present study was aimed to evaluate the different growing media in soil types having varying soil texture and its impact on the growth and yield of blackgram. A pot culture experiment was conducted in split plot design with four texture of soils (S1: Loamy, S2: Clay, S3: Sand and S4: Pure sand) as the main plots and five growing media (G1: Cocopeat, G2: Vermiculite, G3: Vermicompost, G4: Sawdust, G5: Hydrogel and G6: Control) as the subplots. The results of the experiment revealed that growing of blackgram in sandy soil texture with application of cocopeat recorded significant improvement in growth parameters viz., plant height, root length, leaf area index (LAI), nos. of root nodules plant−1. The same treatment resulted in significantly higher yield attributes such as number of pods plant−1 (49.3), grain yield (1126 kg ha−1), water use efficiency, water productivity and benefit cost ratio over other texture of soils with growing media and control. These results confirmed that suitable moisture conservation practice for sandy soils in rainfed areas coupled with suitable growing media ensures higher blackgram productivity per unit of water used.

Influence of boron on growth attributes, yield of black gram and available boron status in Typic chromustert

A field experiment was carried out at farmer’s field in Kalligudi block, Madurai district to evaluate the growth characters, available boron status and yield of black gram to soil and foliar applied boron in boron deficient calcareous soil. The experiment was outlined with thirteen treatments in a randomized block design with three replications. The results of the study revealed that the STCR based N, P2O5 and K2O along with soil application of boron @ 1.5 kg ha-1 and foliar application of borax @ 0.25 per cent at critical growth stages of the crop registered the highest plant height, root dry weight, number root nodules and the grain yield. From the findings of this experiment it was finally concluded that there is a need for application of boron for improving the productivity of black gram in calcareous soil.

Effect of variety and spacing on growth and yield of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) under Vertisol of Chhattisgarh

The present investigation entitled “Effect of variety and spacing on growth and yield of Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) under Vertisol of Chhattishgarh’’ was carried out at Instructional cum Research Farm, DKS College of Agriculture and Research Station, Bhatapara during Kharif season of 2019-20, with the objective to study the effect of different spacing and variety on growth and yield of blackgram. The soil of the experimental field was medium texture with low, medium and high in N, P and K, respectively. The climate of the region is sub-humid to semi-arid. Experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design (SPD) with three replications and twelve treatment combination. Blackgram was sown on 13th July,2019 in a split plot design with crop geometry as main plot and variety in sub plot. There were six levels of crop geometry (cm) viz. S1-30×10 S2-30×5 S3-20×10 S4-20×5, S5-45×10 and S6-45×5 row to row and plant to plant and two level of varieties V1-Indira Urd-1 and V2-Pratap Urd-1. The crop was harvested on 5th October, 2019. Result indicated that the S4-20×5 cm at 20 DAS and at harvest was found effective in plant population and plant height, S5-45×10 cm at 20, 40 and 60 DAS was found effective in enhancing growth of branches and S1-30×10 at harvest was found effective in dry matter production of blackgram showed at par with S5-45×10 cm. The findings revealed that crop geometry (cm) 30×10 recorded significantly yield attributing characters, yield, gross return and net return. Variety Indira Urd-1 produced to significant higher growth parameters, yield attributing characters and net return and return per rupee invested as compared to Pratap Urd-1. The interaction between spacing and variety revealed that crop geometry 30×10 with variety Indira Urd-1 was produce significant higher seed yield as compared to other treatment combinations.

Impact of cluster frontline demonstrations (CFLD) on yield of black gram (Vigna mungo) under rainfed conditions in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir

The study was carried out by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kathua, to know the yield gaps between improved package and practices under cluster front line demonstration (CFLD) and farmer’s practice (FP) of Black gram crop under rainfed conditions. Cluster Front line demonstrations on Black gram were conducted on farmer’s fields during Kharif seasons of twosequentialyearsi.e2017 and 2018 under National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Govt. of India to demonstrate the impact of enriched agro-techniques on production and economic benefits under rainfed conditions. CFLD’s were conducted in 10 hectare area for two years with active involvement of farmers and scientific staff of KVK. According to analysis of data the highest grain yield was obtained in demonstrated plots with an average of 9.45 q/ha as compared to local check with an average of 6.2 q/ha. An average mean of extension gap, technology gap and technology index were calculated as 3.25 q/ha, 5.55q/ha, 36.66 percent, respectively. Adoption of improved package of practices in black gram cultivation recorded average higher B:C ratio (5.45) as compared to Farmers Practice (3.61) during the period of study. Thus, the productivity of black gram could be increased with the adoption of recommended improved package of practices. The study resulted in satisfying the farming community for higher productivity and returns.

ARIMA Model for Forecasting of Black Gram Productivity in Odisha

A study was conducted on forecasting the productivity of black gram in Odisha. Box-Jenkins Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) time-series methodology was considered for Black gram yield forecasting. Different ARIMA models are selected on the basis of Autocorrelation Function (ACF) and Partial autocorrelation Function (PACF) at various lags .The data from 1971-72 to 2006-07 are used for model building of different ARIMA models and from 2007-08 to 2015-16 is used for successful cross-validation of the selected model, which is based on the Mean absolute percentage error(MAPE). To check the stationarity, ARIMA Models are fitted to the original time series data as well as first difference data. Based on the significant coefficient of autoregressive and moving average components, the possible ARIMA Models are identified. Based on low value of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), the best fitted ARIMA models are selected. ARIMA (0,1,1) without constant found to be best fitted model for Black gram productivity having absolute percentage error ranging from 19.99% to 43.29% in cross-validation of the model. The best fitted ARIMA model has been used to forecast the productivity of black gram for the year 2016-17 to 2018-19. The model showed the forecast in productivity for the year 2018-19 to be about 221.45 kg per hectare with lower and upper limit 90.36 and 392.89 kg per hectare respectively.

Effect of seaweed extracts on the growth, yield and nutrient uptake of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) in the red and lateritic belt of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural farm of Visva-Bharati University, Birbhum, West Bengal during Pre-kharif (Summar) season of 2012, to study the effect of foliar spray of seaweed extracts (prepared from Kappaphycus alvarezii & Gracilaria crassa) on the growth and productivity of black gram. The foliar spray was applied thrice at different concentrations (0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 15.0% v/v) of seaweed extracts. Foliar applications of seaweed extracts significantly enhanced the growth and yield attributes. The highest grain yield was recorded with applications of 15% Kappaphykus + recommended dose of fertilizer which at par wth 15% Gracilaria extracts + RDF resulting in an enhanced by 51 and 44% grain yield, respectively compared to the water applied plots. The highest straw yield was also achieved with the application of 15% seaweed extracts. The nutrient uptake (N, P and K) which influenced due to the application was also with seaweed extract.