Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University Research Articles

Nutritional Evaluation of Different Varieties of Sesame [ Sesamum indicum L.)

An analytical comparison of nutritional evaluation was carried out on black and white sesame seeds received from Main Castor and Mustard Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University. The sesame being known as queen of oilseed crops exhibited the oil content ranging from 45.69 to 50.70 %, while the protein, amino acid, lysine, crude fibre, ash and calcium content of defatted sesame meal were in the range 29.80-31.55 %, 2.68-3.25 g/16g N, 8.50-9.02 %, 8.56-9.40% and 1225.86-1628.36 mg %, respectively. The fatty acid profile of oil showed composition oflinoleic, oleic, palmitic, stearic, linolenic andarachidic acids and their proportion ranged as 42.81-46.16, 39.52-41.76, 8.22-9.39, 5.00-5.67, 0.23-0.30 and 0.41-0.49 %, respectively. The phenol and flavonoid content of defatted sesame meal were recorded in the range of 26.05 to 39.85 mg/g and 17.54 to 20.57 mg/g, respectively. The study revealed that black seeded variety had good composition of calcium, moisture, ash, fibre, phenol and the fatty acids viz. oleic acid and arachidic acid, whereas, white seeded varieties had good composition of oil content, flavonoid and linoleic acid. Any impact of seed colour was not observed on protein, lysine content, palmitic and linolenic acids.

Soil fertility and uptake as influenced by different intercropping in summer pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the summer season 2010 at Agronomy Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat) to study on intercropping in summer pearlmillet [ Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Emend. Stuntz]. Thirteen treatments of sole crops and intercropping systems viz. , T 1 : pearlmillet sole, T 2 : cowpea sole, T 3 : greengram sole, T 4 : mothbean sole, T 5 : sesame sole, T 6 : pearlmillet + cowpea (1:1), T 7 : pearlmillet + cowpea (1:2), T 8 : pearlmillet + greengram (1:1), T 9 : pearlmillet + greengram (1:2), T 10 : pearlmillet + mothbean (1:1), T 11 : pearlmillet + mothbean (1:2), T 12 : pearlmillet + sesame (1:1) and T 13 : pearlmillet + sesame (1:2) were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. The soil was loamy sand, neutral (pH 7.0) low in organic carbon (0.17%), available nitrogen (149 kg N/ha), medium in available phosphorus (46 kg P 2 O 5 /ha) and high in potassium (281 kg K 2 O/ha). The higher available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were observed in pulses sole and intercropping systems. Green gram sole established its superiority by recording available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Intercropping of cowpea, greengram, mothbean and sesame at 1:1 and 1:2 row ratios in pearlmillet recorded significantly higher N, P and K content (%) of pearlmillet. While, in case of N content (%) found significantly higher in intercrops when grown as sole crop, but P and K content (%) found higher in intercropping systems. Maximum total N, P and K uptake of pearlmillet was recorded under sole crop, though when pearlmillet crop intercropped with pluses and sesame crop. All intercrops sown as sole crop recorded higher total N, P and K uptake as compared to intercropped in pearlmillet.

Nutrient content, uptake and fertility influenced by sources and levels of sulphur in Kharif sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

An field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during Kharif 2012. Total eight treatment combinations comprised of two sources of sulphur viz., S 1 =Elemental sulphur and S 2 =Gypsum and four levels of sulphur viz., L 1 = 15 kg S ha, L 2 = 30 kg S ha, L 3 = 45 kg S ha and L 4 = 60 kg S ha were tried in Randomized Block Design with factorial concepts with four replications. Sesame variety GT 2 was used as a test crop. The soil of the experimental field was loamy sand in texture, alkaline in reaction and soluble salt content under safe limit. It was low in organic carbon, available N and S; medium in available P 2 O 5 , K 2 O and DTPA-extractable Fe and Zn and having sufficient DTPA-extractable Mn and Cu status. Application of 45 kg S ha produced significantly higher seed (814 kg ha) and stalk (1899 kg ha) yields, over other levels of sulphur, however, it was statistically at par with 60 kg S ha. Significantly higher content and uptake of N, P and S by seed and stalk and available S content in soil at harvest were recorded with 45 kg S ha, however, this treatment was statistically comparable with 60 kg S ha.

Efficacy of insecticides against sesamum leaf webber and capsule borer,Antigastra catalaunalis(Duponchel)

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Instructional Farm, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat) during kharif 2012 and 2013. Based on number of larvae per plant, % flower and capsule infestation recorded after two sprays concluded that all the treatments showed significant difference in reducing larval population, and flower and capsule infestation over control. Spinosad 0.001% was found significantly most effective followed by profenofos 0.05%, dichlorvos 0.05%, acephate 0.075% and triazophos 0.04% whereas, imidacloprid 0.01%, neem oil 1% and Beauveria bassiana 2×108 cfu/gm were the least effective. Maximum yield was obtained with spinosad followed by profenofos and dichlorvos. However, the ICBR was recorded highest with dichlorvos (1: 30.86).

Forage equivalent yield, quality, soil status and economics of maize (Zea maysL.) as influenced by intercropping of cowpea (Vigna unguiculataL.) and fertility levels during kharif season

A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soils of Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during the years 2011–12 and 2012–13. The soil of the experimental plot was very low in organic carbon (0.19%) and available nitrogen (169 kg/ha), medium in available phosphorus (39.65 ka/ha) and potash (271 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in spit plot design with four replications. Fifteen treatment combinations comprised five intercropping treatments viz., IC1 (sole maize), IC2 (sole cowpea), IC3 (maize+cowpea 2: 1), IC4 (maize+cowpea 3: 1) and IC5 (maize+cowpea 3: 1) and three fertility levels viz., F1 (75% RDF), F2 (100% RDF) and F3 (125% RDF). Maize equivalent yield was significantly influenced by intercropping levels. Treatment IC4 (maize+cowpea 2: 1) recorded significantly higher maize equivalent yield than rest of the treatments. Application of treatments IC4 (maize+cowpea 2: 1) recorded significantly higher nitrogen content, crude protein content, crude fiber content and phosphorus content in both the crops. Intercropping levels failed to exhibit their significant influence on total ash content, potash content and neutral detergent fiber of both the crops. Regarding soil available nutrients, treatment IC2 (sole cowpea) registered maximum values of nitrogen content but phosphorus and potash content was not influenced significantly by intercropping after harvest of crops. The maize equivalent yield was significantly influenced by fertility levels. Application of F3 (125% RDF) produced significantly higher maize equivalent yield but it was statistically similar with treatment F2 (100% RDF). Application of 125% RDF recorded significantly higher nitrogen content and crude protein content and crude fiber content in both the crops as well as phosphorus content and total ash content in maize crop and it was at par with 100% RDF. Fertility levels failed to exhibit their significant influence on phosphorus content and total ash content in cowpea as well as potash content and neutral detergent fiber in both the crops. Regarding soil available nutrients, treatment F3 (125% RDF) registered maximum values of nitrogen but it was at par with F2 (100% RDF). Application of intercropping IC4 (maize+cowpea 2: 1) recorded higher net realization of Rs. 30185/ha and higher BCR value of 2.85. Among different fertility levels, application of 125% RDF resulted in higher net realization (Rs. 28865/ha) but higher BCR (2.68) was recorded with treatment F2 (100% RDF) with net realization (Rs. 28411/ha) closely followed by F3 (125% RDF). The land equivalent ratio (1.22) was highest with IC4 (maize+cowpea 2: 1).

Yield, quality and soil fertility of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) as influenced by various row spacing and levels of phosphorus

A field experiment was conducted at Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during Kharif season of 2010 on loamy sand soil. The treatments comprised of three levels of row spacing (S1 = 30 cm × 15 cm, S2 = 45 cm × 15 cm and S3 = 60 cm × 15 cm) and four levels of phosphorus (P1 = 0 kg P2O5/ha, P2 = 20 kg P2O5/ha, P3 = 40 kg P2O5/ha and P4 = 60 kg P2O5/ha). The results under the study showed that the row spacing significantly influenced and wider spacing (60 cm × 15 cm) produced maximum available nitrogen and available phosphorus in the soil after harvest whereas, maximum green pod yield and dry fodder yield was recorded in narrowest row spacing (30 cm × 15 cm). The application of phosphorus significantly influenced the various yield and quality parameters and higher dose of phosphorus (60 kg P2O5/ha) was found superior in yield and quality characters under study. The 60 kg P2O5/ha recorded maximum pod yield and dry fodder yield.

Heterosis and combining ability study for yield and quality traits in castor (Ricinus communis L.)

Heterosis and combining ability study for yield and quality traitsin castor [Ricinus communis(L.)]" was carried out through diallel analysis at Main Castor-Mustard Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar. The experimental material composed of 45 hybrids, 10 parents and standard check GCH 5.The analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among genotypes and hybridsfor all the traits. Parents also differed significantly for all the charactersindicating considerable amount of genetic variability present in the experimental material. The average performance of hybrids differed from that of the parents for days to flowering, daysto maturity,seed yield /plant, oil content in seed and oil content in endosperm. Exploitable heterosis for seed yield/plant was observed in crosses HC 8 x 37504 (155.2%), PRT 44 x 37504 (99.1%), 37504 x 37500 (86.8%) and SKI 1 x 37500 (79.5%), whereas, cross HC 8 x 37504 (149.8%) and PRT 44 x 37504 (86.2%) recorded high heterobeltiosis for seed yield/plant. Crosses showing heterosis for seed yield exhibited noticeable heterosisthrough important yield components like days to maturity, days to flowering, stem length, oil content in endosperm and oil content in seed. The analysis of variance for combining ability showed highly significant differences for all the traits under investigation. The predictability showed that non-additive gene action was primarily involved in the inheritance ofthe characters viz., daysto flowering, daysto maturity,seed yield/plant, oil content in seed, endosperm content and oil content in endosperm. Additive gene action was found predominant for stem length, number of effective branches/plant and 100 seed weight. The parent, 37504 was a good combiner for seed yield/plant, while SKI-1 proved good combiner for oil content in seed. The ranking of parents based on gca effects was almost similar to that based on per se performance for most of the characters. Two hybrids SKI-1 x 37500 and HC-8 x 37504 exhibited significant and positive sca effects for seed yield per/plant. The cross HC-8 x 37504 gave highest seed yield/plant which had poor x good general combining parents.

Efficacy of ‘indigenous vaccine’ using native ‘Indian bison type’ genotype of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis for the control of clinical Johne’s disease in an organized goat herd

Therapeutic efficacy of a new 'Indigenous vaccine' prepared from native highly pathogenic 'Indian Bison Type' genotype of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) of goat origin has been evaluated with respect to control of clinical Johne's disease in naturally infected Mehsana breed of goat in North Gujarat. Fifty goats from Sheep and Goats Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, were randomly divided into 2 groups viz.,'Vaccinated'(n = 35) and 'Control'(n = 15). After vaccination, goats were monitored for physical condition, morbidity, mortality, body weights, shedding of MAP in feces, internal condition, gross lesions and humoral immune responses up to 120 days (at each interval of 30 days). At the end of 120 days trial, there was marked overall improvement in physical condition and body weights of vaccinated goats as compared to 'Control' goats. Vaccinated goats gained significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weights, hardly exhibited any lesions characteristic of JD, had significantly higher (P < 0.01) antibody titers and shedding of MAP was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced. Few of the vaccinated goats were positive for MAP DNA in faecal PCR and blood PCR before vaccination. However, all were found as negative at 120 days post vaccination (DPV). Overall vaccine exhibited effective in restriction of MAP infection and significant improvement in production parameters and reduction in mortality and morbidity due to JD. The trial in the herd will be continued.