Regional Agricultural Research Station Research Articles

Effect of zinc and iron on growth, yield and quality parameters of onion

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of micronutrients application in onion in medium black soilsat Regional Agricultural Research Station, Vijayapur, during Rabi, 2021-22. The experiment was laid out in factorial RBDwith single control design with three replications.There were ten treatment combinations, consisting three levels of zinc(0, 15 and 30 kg ZnSO4 ha-1) in first factor and three three levels of iron (0, 15 and 30 kg FeSO4 ha-1) in second factor thesenine combinations were compared with absolute control.The results revealed that the soil application of 30 kg ZnSO4 ha-1+ 30 kg FeSO4 ha-1 recorded significantly higher plant height (48.08 cm), number of leaves (13.42), leaf dry matter(4.58 g plant-1), bulb dry matter (12.09 g plant-1), polar diameter (6.28 cm), equatorial diameter (5.16 cm),bulb index (1.37),average weight of fresh bulb (76.04 g), average weight of cured bulb (64.43 g), bulb yield (18.56 t ha-1), ‘A’ grade bulbs(11.83%), ‘B’ grade bulbs (74.15 %) and significantly lower ‘C’ grade bulbs (14.02%),While, lower plant height (39.36 cm),number of leaves(11.23), leaf dry matter (3.43 g plant-1), bulb dry matter (8.69 g plant-1), polar diameter (4.87 cm),equatorial diameter (4.17 cm), bulb index (0.92), average weight of fresh bulb (63.96 g), average weight of cured bulb(52.91 g), bulb yield (10.30 t ha-1),‘A’ grade bulbs (9.01%) and ‘B’ grade bulbs (52.35%) were recorded in treatmentreceiving only RDF. The soil application of zinc sulphate and iron sulphate either alone or in combination helped toimprove growth, yield and quality parameters of onion

Evaluation of Genotypes against Bacterial Blight and Tobacco Streak Virus Diseases in Cotton

Cotton screening was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) in Warangal, Telangana, India. The experimental material consisted of 52 cotton germplasms and 13Bt cotton hybrids with a check were tested against bacterial blight and tobacco streak virus diseases duringKharif-2016 at RARS,Warangal. Out of 52 cotton germplasms,17 entries viz.,HYPS-152,H-1250,RAH-4,KH-2244N,LH-900,SA-434,RAH-12,JK-354,GBHU-164,NA-340,BS-37,TCH-724, ICMF-23,ICMF-20,SA-1004,ARB-89001 and BB-2 were found resistant to bacterial blight disease and eighteen entries namely.,SA-53-1,RHH-101,KH-2244N,KH-134,TCH-1649,NH-557,IH-08,PH-1008,TCH-724,JK-205,MRK-38,LH-2170,AKH-2822,ARB-8901,G-COT-10,JK2764,CCH 1071 and CCH-11germplasms were noticed tobacco streak virus disease rating scale 0 (Immune). Out of 13 Bt cotton hybrids , two entries viz., Balhwan and Raja were moderately resistant to bacterial blight disease and eleven entries namely viz., Bhakti, Raja, Balhwan, Akka, First class,RCH-812,Ankur-3224,ACH-199,RCH-836,RCH-812 and ATM entries were showed disease rating scale 1(resistant) to tobacco streak virus disease.

Correlation and Path Analysis for Yield and Yield Attributes in Maintainer Lines of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The study was conducted during kharif season (June–October) of 2016 at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Agriculture College, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Jagtial, Telangana, India. Forty (40) maintainer lines of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were grown in randomized block design replicated twice to find the relationships between the yield and its components, as well as their direct and indirect effects on the rice grain yield. Observations were recorded for yield, yield attributing characters and quality traits on five randomly selected competitive plants for each entry in each replication for 15 characters. The results revealed that the analysis of variance was significant for all the characters investigated. Grain yield was significantly correlated with its component characters like number of tillers plant-1 (0.9191**), panicle length (0.3339**), milling percentage (0.3214**) and hulling percentage (0.2873**) whereas it showed a negligible positive correlation with days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, panicle length, number of grains per panicle, kernel length, kernel breadth, L/B ratio, test weight, hulling percentage, and head rice recovery percentage. Path coefficient analysis revealed that number of tillers plant-1 (0.9439) exerted maximum positive direct effect on plant yield followed by kernel breadth, L/B ratio, panicle length, milling percentage, days to flowering and head rice recovery percentage indicated their importance in determining the complex character and therefore should be kept in mind while practicing selection aimed at improving the grain yield.

Telangana Jonna 1(CSV 41): A High Yielding, Dual Purpose, Potential Sorghum Variety

Aims: The aim of this study was popularize the developed high yielding, dual purpose, potential sorghum variety and its acceptability by the farming community.
 Study of Design: Randomized Block Design.
 Place and Duration of Study: The Present study was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Palem, Nagarkurnool and evaluated across fifteen AICRP centers at national level from 2010 to 2019.
 Methodology: A high yielding, dual purpose sorghum variety was derived from a cross between SPV-86 x ICSR-89064 through Pedigree method of breeding and subsequently it was evaluated at station level from 2013 – 2015 and also at AICRP system from fifteen centers during 2016 – 2018 for its grain and fodder yield and resistance to pests and diseases and showed superior performance over the three nation checks.
 Results: Sorghum culture SPV 2437 recorded highest grain and fodder yield of 3179.8 kg ha-1 and15900.2 kg ha-1and yielded +39.25%, +3.86% and +14.88% higher grain yield and +92.48, +13.59, and +8.46 higher fodder yield superiority than checks CSV 17, CSV 20 and CSV-27 and shown 3.67 mean field grade and 4.37 mean threshed grade showing resistant reaction to grain mold disease.
 Conclusion: The sorghum variety SPV 2437 with higher grain and fodder yield, resistance to pest and disease and good cooking quality as compared to the check varieties was released through central varietal release committee during 2020 for Zone I (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Gujarat states) on the name of Telangana Jonna 1/CSV 41 and gaining its importance across the states for its high potential yield.

Influence of nitrogen sources and rates on yield and nitrogen use efficiency of tomato

A study was carried out with tomato at the research field of Regional Agricultural Research Station of BARI, Cumilla during two consecutive years 2019-20 and 2020-21. The objective was to evaluate the yield response and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of tomato (variety BARI Tomato-15) and to suggest the source and the rate of N fertilizer recommendation for tomato. The experiment was laid out in a RCBD design with three N sources (PU, NCU and DAP) and two N rates (100% and 125% of recommendation as per FRG-2018) replicated three times. In the first year, prilled urea (PU), neem coated urea (NCU) and DAP were used but in the second year DAP was replaced by urea super granule (USG). The recommended dose of N for tomato was 120 kg ha-1. Results revealed that between two rates of N application the yield was the maximum (77.4 t ha-1 and 60.3 t ha-1 in two years, respectively with 125% of RD. The highest agronomic use efficiency of nitrogen (NAUE) was obtained from 100% RD of N as DAP (150.0 kg kg-1) and 125% RD of N as NCU (133.3 kg kg-1). The lowest N use efficiency was observed in 100% PU (84.2 kg kg-1) and 100% NCU (40.8 kg kg-1) treated plots. Due to optimal plant growth, the neem-coated urea treatment yielded little higher than PU treatment. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2023, 48(1): 92-100

Screening of Mustard Germplasm against Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum) and Analysis of Yield Contributing Characters

The current experiment was carried out at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) Polasa, Jagtial during rabi 2020-21, with the goals of (1) assessing the resistance of Indian mustard germplasm lines to powdery mildew disease and (2) analysing the yield and its contributing traits, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height in centimetres, primary branch number, secondary branch number, siliqua number and siliqua length in centimetres. The results of the analysis of variance showed that there were statistically significant differences between the genotypes and their characteristics. The genotypes viz., DRMR-150-35, Black gold, and RH-9304 performed best on average out of 50 different varieties for twelve different characteristics, including high seed yield per plant, high 1000-seed weight and high harvest index.Two resistant genotypes (GM-3 and Swarna Jyothi) and nine genotypes (Pusa mahak, PM-25, PM-26, PDZM-31, Pusa tarak, Pusa bahar, Ashirwad, DRMR-601, and JM-2) demonstrated considerable resistance reaction to the powdery mildew disease after being screened against the illness. We can solve the disease effect problem by utilizing these germplasm lines as donors in future breeding programme to develop powdery mildew resistant lines.

Determination of physico-chemical characteristics of waste coconut water

The study was conducted to analyze the Physico-chemical characteristics of Waste Coconut Water for Anaerobic digestion. Experiments were conducted at soil testing laboratory of Regional Agriculture Research Station, Pattambi. Standard procedures of American Public Health Association were followed to determine the total solids (TS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and pH of waste coconut water.The waste coconut water samples were analyzed for different physico-chemical characteristics and the results were found to be a medium strength waste water with TS, BOD and pH values in the ranges of 34729-44399 mg·L- 1, 28725-29230 mg·L-1 and 3.24-4.77, respectively.

Growth, Productivity, Competitive Ratio, Maize Equivalent Yield, Land Equivalent Ratio, and Profitability of Hybrid Maize as Influenced by Relay Cropping with Mukhikachu (Colocasia esculenta Schott.) during Rabi Season

Relay cropping is a method that increases total productivity through maximum utilization of resources. In this study, we planned a field experiment, which was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ishwardi, Pabna during 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 to find out the most suitable way of relaying mukhikachu (MU) with hybrid maize to get the maximum benefit. Seven treatments: T1= Relay at silking stage (100 DAS), T2 = Relay at the blister stage (110 DAS), T3 = Relay at the milk stage (120 DAS), T4 = Relay at the dough stage (130 DAS), T5 = Relay at the dent stage (140 DAS), T6 = Sole hybrid maize, T7 = Sole mukhikachu, were compared in the study. It was found that among the treatments (relay cropping and sole stand), there was no significant difference in terms of yield and attributes of both base (maize) and relay crop (mukhikachu). In the entire treatment, maize yielded 10.54-11.30 t ha-1 with results of 3.28-3.66 MJ m-2day-1 light energy interception (120 DAS), 2.68-2.84 LAI (120 DAS) and 1534.63-1592.69 g m-2 TDM (140DAS). The mukhikachu yielded 26.88-27.28 t ha-1 among the relay cropping system. Maize equivalent yield (MEY) and BCR ranged from 28.48-29.18 t ha-1 and 2.33-2.39, respectively, amongst the relay cropping treatments. The land equivalent ratio (LER) of the relay cropping treatment produced almost double (1.934-1.996) that of the sole crops. Farmers can benefit by adopting this relay cropping technology when they grow long-duration crops, and this technology can lead to improved system productivity.

Effect of Liquid Organic Foliar Spray on Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Rainfed Condition

Aims: Foliar nutrition is aimed to eliminate the problems of fixation and immobilization of nutrients. Hence, foliar nutrition is being recognized as a significant way of fertilizing modern agriculture, especially under rainfed conditions. Liquid organic manures are the concoctions of micro and macronutrients that also contain vitamins, amino acids, growth-promoting substances, and beneficial microbes.
 Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications.
 Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was conducted in medium black soils at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Vijayapur, during Rabi, 2020-21.
 Methodology: There were fifteen treatment combinations, consisting of five organic sources (vermiwash @ 10%, cowurine @ 10%, jeevamrutha @ 25%, bio digester filtrate @ 25% and urea @ 2%) in main plots and three stage of application (pre flowering, pod initiation and pre flowering + pod initiation) in sub plots for JG-11 variety of chickpea.
 Results: Foliar application of jeevamrutha @ 25% both at pre flowering and at pod initiation stages recorded significantly greater dry matter accumulation in leaves, stem and reproductive parts, higher SPAD values, number of pods plant-1 (46.5), grain weight plant-1 (9.45 g), harvest index (2198 kg ha-1). Soil dehydrogenase activity, protein content and protein yield parameters also showed higher values for the same treatment along with the major nutrient uptake. A significant reduction in the observation of pest load of chickpeas at pod development stage was noticed by the application of treatment.
 Conclusion: Foliar application of liquid organic manures, either jeevamrutha @ 25% or cow urine @ 10% both at pre-flowering and at pod initiation stages helped to increase growth, growth attributes like dry matter accumulation, SPAD values, yield attributes, protein content, dehydrogenase activity, major nutrient uptake and reduction of pest load in chickpea.

Morphological characterisation of rice accessions of semi deep water ecology

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the magnitude and nature of genetic variability of 569 rice germplasm accessions with semi deep water ecology, commonly known as asra, at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Karimganj, Assam Agricultural University, Assam (India). These accessions were recognised as having flood tolerant characteristics. The first five principal components explained approximately 76.71% of the total variation.Principal component analysis revealed that traits such as number of panicles per hill, spikelet fertility, days to 50% flowering, number of chaffs per panicle, and plant height were the principal discriminatory quantitative traits. It is recommended that the genetic variation prevailing in the assessed asra rice germplasm accessions can be efficiently utilised for the enhancement of the genetic gain. The divergent extreme phenotypes in the accession can also be utilised to develop the mapping population for the identification of quantitative trait loci for flood tolerance. The rice accessions were grouped into three different clusters for both quantitative and qualitative traits. The hybridization among the selected germplasm of different clusters is expected to produce the maximum number of transgressive segregants. This will lead to area expansion with higher productivity of this crop in predominantly flood prone areas.

Evaluation of China Aster (Callistephus chinensis L. Nees) Cultivars for Growth, Yield and Quality Parameters under Southern Telangana Zone

China aster (Callistephus chinensis L. Nees) is a half hardy annual flowering plant and is grown for cut as well as for loose flowers. The cut flowers are used in flower arrangements, vases, bouquets, for interior decorations, etc. The loose flowers are widely used for making garlands, for decorations, for worship and are also used in social functions.
 The present investigation was carried out during the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 at farm of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Palem, Telangana to evaluate the china aster varieties under Southern Telangana zone with respect to growth, flower yield and quality characters. Data in this study revealed that, all characteristics varied significantly among the varieties. Maximum plant height, plant spread, number of primary and secondary branches and number of leaves were observed in the variety Phule Ganesh White and the least was recorded in the variety Arka Archana.
 The variety Phule Ganesh White took less number of days for flower bud initiation (52.05), minimum number of days to 50% flower opening (61.63) while more number of days were recorded in the variety Kamini (56.32 and 68.53, respectively). Maximum stalk length was recorded in Phule Ganesh White (20.60 cm) and minimum was recorded in Arka Archana (9.80 cm). In addition, Flower diameter was more (7.00 cm) in both the varieties Phule Ganesh White and Local White, while minimum was detected in Phule Ganesh Pink (5.40cm). The variety Phule Ganesh White recorded more number of flowers per plant (48.7), more flower yield per plant (111.00 g plant-1) and maximum flower yield per hectare (4.64 tha-1). Whereas lowest number of flowers per plant (37.40), flower yield per plant (57.50 g plant-1), flower yield per hectare (2.08 t ha-1) was observed in Arka Archana. Maximum vase life for cut flower (6.00 days) were recorded in Arka Poornima and least was observed in Arka Aadya (3.70 days). Maximum shelf life for loose flowers was recorded in Phule Ganesh White (3.20 days) and minimum was recorded in Arka Archana (1.70 days).

First report of wilt disease in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) caused by Fusarium decemcellulare in Kerala, India

BackgroundThe incidence of wilt disease of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) caused by Fusarium sp. has recently emerged in two-year-old cashew trees in an experimental field at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pilicode, in the Kasaragod district of Kerala, India. The disease was characterized initially by chlorosis of foliage and shoots, followed by necrosis and wilting, with internal symptoms including vascular necrosis, eventually resulting in complete plant mortality.MethodsA fungal pathogen was isolated repeatedly from the infected vascular tissues onto potato dextrose agar medium. Symptomology, cultural, morphological and molecular studies were performed to characterize the pathogen causing the disease.ResultsIn culture, the colony of fungus was white, later turning pink. The fungus produced both macro and micro conidia in culture. Molecular characterization revealed the identity of the isolates as Fusarium decemcellulare Brick. Pathogenicity of the isolate was confirmed in cashew seedlings, thereby demonstrating Koch’s postulates.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first record of wilt disease of cashew caused by F. decemcellulare in India. The culture of the fungus has been deposited with the National Fungal Culture Collection of India at Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India with accession number NFCCI 4801, and sequence of the fungus was deposited at GenBank of NCBI with accession number OP942472.

EVALUATION OF RICE GENOTYPES AGAINST SHEATH BLIGHT USING BASIC RESISTANCE COMPONENTS FOR RESISTANCE IDENTIFICATION

Under the current climate change scenario, sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani, anecrotrophic pathogen, is becoming a serious threat, causing significant yield losses in paddy,especially in the coastal ecosystem of Andhra Pradesh state. Resistance evaluation in popularrice cultivars taken up during 2020-21 season at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Maruteru(field studies) and Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi (lab studies) for identificationof resistance sources for further breeding programmes using resistance components revealedthat using single phenotypic component based arbitrary scale may not reveal the true varietalnature with respect to disease resistance and needs to consider the host-pathogen populationdynamics. Among the three basic resistance components studied, rate of infection (RRBR) andincubation period (RRIP) found to have greater bearing on sheath blight resistance, whereas,lesion length (RRLL) found to be a less potential indicator for quantifying the resistance levels inthe rice cultivars for sheath blight.

Performance of pigeonpea genotypes under transplanting technique

A field experiment was conducted for the yield maximization in pigeonpea through transplanting technique underdryland conditions in medium black soils at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Vijayapura (Karnataka) during kharif2021-22. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. There were ten treatment combinations,consisting two varieties viz.,TS-3R and GRG-152 in main plots and five dates of transplanting viz., direct sowing, IIFortnight (FN) of June, I FN of July, II FN of July and I FN of August in sub plots. The results revealed that thevariety TS-3R transplanted during II FN of June recorded significantly higher total dry matter production (230.90 g plant-1), leaf area(82.88 dm2 plant-1),pods per plant (184.17), grain yield (1873 kg ha-1), stalk yield (5001 kg ha-1) and gross returns(`118004 ha-1) over other combinations. However, direct sown TS-3R recorded significantly higher net returns(`78231 ha-1) and B:C (3.38) as compared to other combinations. While, lower total dry matter production (121.72 g plant-1),leaf area per plant (38.22 dm2), lower number of pods per plant (92.25), grain yield (876 kg ha-1), stalk yield (2665 kg ha-1), netreturns(`9654 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.21) were recorded in GRG-152 transplanted during I FN of August compared to otherinteractions. Pigeonpea variety TS-3R transplanted during II FN of June produced superior growth, yield parameters andseed yield. However, the yield improvement was not substantial to overcome the additional costs involved in nurseryraising and transplanting.

Changes in growth and yield of pigeonpea genotypes under different growing environments

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Vijayapura, during kharif2021. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design assigning four sowing windows to main plots viz., 1st fortnight ofJune, 2nd fortnight of June, 1st fortnight of July and 2nd fortnight of July, whereas genotypes to subplot viz., TS-3R, GRG-152 and GRG-811 with three replications. The results revealed that the seed yield progressively decreased with a delay insowing. A significantly higher seed yield was recorded under early sowings in the 1st and 2nd fortnight of June (1539 and1535 kg ha-1, respectively) and were statistically similar for seed yield. Among the genotypes studied, TS-3R recorded asignificantly higher seed yield (1455 kg ha-1) than other genotypes, which was on par with GRG-152 (1424 kg ha-1). Theincrease in the yield was attributed to better growth and yield attributes coupled with more rainfall (521 mm) receivedduring the cropping period. The pigeonpea sown in 1st fortnight of June recorded higher plant height (196.3 cm), primarybranch per plant (14.00), secondary branch per plant (18.21), the total number of pods (117.7), seed weight per plant (53.1)and 100-seed weight (12.5) compared to delayed sowings. The interaction of pigeonpea genotype TS-3R sown in 2ndfortnight of June recorded a significantly higher seed yield (1550 kg ha-1), which was closely followed by and statisticallyon par with the interaction of GRG-152 sown in 1st fortnight of June (1542 kg ha-1). The study concludes that the earlysowing of pigeonpea genotypes TS-3R and GRG-152 is better for realizing maximum productivity and profitability in thenorthern dry zone of Karnataka.

Evaluation of Chilli Varieties for Growth, Yield and Thrips Incidence in Central Telangana Zone

Aim: To know the performance of chilli varieties for growth, yield and its attributing characters, incidence of thrips and leaf curl index at Central Telangana Zone of Telangana state. Study Design: Ten (10) treatments in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three (3) replications. Place and Duration of Study: Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Warangal, Central Telangana Zone of Telangana state. Experiment was conducted in the Kharif season in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Methodology: Ten chilli varieties namely Surajmukhi, Muchia, LCA-616, Bullet, Bor, Byadgi Kaddi, LCA-625, LCA-960, LCA-620, and Teja were sown in raised bed nursery and transplanted in the main field by following all the recommended package of practices. Observations were made on five randomly selected tagged plants from each variety and replicated for evaluation of characters like plant height, canopy spread, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, chlorophyll content, fruit length, fruit width, ripe fruit colour, fruit shape at pedicel attachment, fruit position, fresh fruit weight, dry fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, dry fruit yield, mean thrips population and upward leaf curl index. Results: Out of ten chilli varieties, the dry chilli yield was found to be significantly higher in Teja (26.13 q/a) and on par results were noticed in Surajmukhi (25.12 q/a), whereas lowest dry chilli yield was observed in variety Bor (4.47 q/a). Thrips incidence and leaf curl index was found to be significantly lowest in Muchia. The trend indicates that the higher yield depends on the average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant. Conclusion: Among the ten chilli varieties under study, Teja and Surajmukhi yielded more dry chilli. Whereas the variety Muchia has shown lowest incidence of thrips and leaf curl index. Hence, these varieties have scope for future crop improvement programme.

Identification of donor parents containing favourable alleles for improving target American cotton hybrid (NA 1325 × L 604)

The present study was conducted during kharif 2013, kharif 2014 and kharif 2015 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate four American cotton genotypes and to determine which have the greatest relative values of favourable alleles for the improvement of number of bolls/plant, boll weight (g), 2.5% span length (mm), bundle strength (g/tex), seed cotton yield/plant (g) and lint yield/plant (g) in the elite single cross cotton hybrid (NA 1325 × L 604). Based on the estimates of μG’ values the genotype Surabhi was noted with positive high μG’ value and may be used as source of favourable alleles for improving elite hybrid with respect to quality traits like bundle strength (μG’=1.830*) and 2.5% span length (μG’=1.325*). This improvement may be possible by transferring favourable alleles from Surabhi to NA 1325 through back crossing as it had high genetic affinity with NA 1325. For number of bolls/plant RAH 1004 (μG’=3.230*) and HYPS 152 (μG’=0.302*) for boll weight and both the donors for seed cotton yield/plant (μG’ RAH 1004=13.915*and μG’ HYPS 152=23.972*) may be used as donors as they recorded significant and positive μG’ estimates.

Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Seed Yield of Mustard

An experiment was conducted at the research field of Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Cumilla during November 2019 to March 2021 to find out the effect of two plant growth regulators (PGR) of IAA and GA3 on yield attributes and yield of mustard (Var. BARI Sarisha-17). There were seven treatments viz. T1= IAA 50 ppm, T2= IAA 75 ppm, T3= IAA 100 ppm, T4= GA3 50 ppm, T5= GA3 75 ppm, T6= GA3 100 ppm, and T7= Control. The PGRs was sprayed twice on mustard plant at 22 and 33 days after sowing. Plant height, branches plant-1, siliqua plant- 1, 1000 -seed weight and seed yield ha-1 were influenced significantly by different levels of application of plant growth regulators. The highest plant height (115.9 cm), branches plant-1 (6.2), siliqua plant-1 (79.8), 1000- seed weight (4.1) and seed yield (1788.3 kg ha-1) was obtained from T5 (GA3 - 75 ppm) treatment. The lowest seed yield was obtained from the control plants (T7). Application of GA3-50 ppm, GA3-100 ppm, IAA-100 ppm, IAA-75 ppm, IAA- 50 ppm gave statistical identical yield. The highest gross return (Tk. 89145 ha-1), gross margin (Tk. 53215 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.47) were also obtained from GA3 at 75 ppm followed by GA3 at 50 ppm (2.43). Foliar application of GA3 and IAA at the rate of 75 ppm could be used at early growth stage for obtaining higher seed yield and economic return.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 47(1): 99-104, March 2022

Assessment of Genetic Variability, Character Association and Path Analysis for Yield and Quality Traits in Zinc and Iron Rich Landraces of Rice

Background: Rice is the staple food for billions of people globally and contains numerous essential nutrients. Among the nutrients, zinc and iron are vital for several growth metabolisms in plants and humans. Therefore, deficiency of these nutrients causes hidden hunger. However, understandingthe genetic variability of rice germplasm is required for improvement of grain yield, yield contributing and nutritional traits. The present study aimed to examine the variability, heritability, character association and path analysis in zinc and iron-rich rice landraces. Methods: The present investigation was carried out with 37 genotypes of rice in a randomized block design with two replications during Kharif-2021 at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Maruteru. Result: The studies on variability, heritability and genetic advance as percent mean results revealed moderate GCV and PCV coupled with high heritability and genetic advance as percent mean recorded for days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, zinc content, iron content and grain yield plant-1 indicating scope for simultaneous improvement of these traits along with grain yield plant-1. Character associations and path analysis revealed positive and significant association coupled with a high positive direct effect for grains panicle-1, zinc content and productive tillers plant-1, indicating the effectiveness of direct phenotypic selection for these traits in the improvement of grain yield plant-1.

Evaluation of Gladiolus Genotypes at Akbarpur, Moulvibazar

Twelve gladiolus genotypes were collected and evaluated in the Research Field of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Akbarpur, Moulvibazar, during November 2018 to May 2020 for identifying suitable line(s) for commercial cultivation in north eastern region of Bangladesh. The genotype that produced flower stalk within minimum days of planting was GL-Akb-012 (66.16 days.The longest rachis length was recorded in GL-Akb-003 (80.12 cm) which was statistically significant from other eleven genotypes. Plant height varied considerably with the highest plant height in GL-Akb-012 (145.67 cm) and the lowest plant height was in GL-Akb-011 (89.33 cm). All of the genotypes in general, produced more than 12 florets per spike, however GL-Akb-001 produced the highest number of florets per spike (17.33). Vase life of the genotypes showed variation, GL-Akb-012 had the highest vase life of 9 days. The highest weight of corm found in GL-Akb-004 (320.00 g). In respect of variation in plants, for instance, flower quality, corm and cormel production characters, the gladiolus genotype GL-Akb-012 was most promising for commercial cultivation.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 46(3): 321-329, September 2021