South Saurashtra Research Articles

Sedimentological analysis of a Late Quaternary coastal dune system: An example from Gopnath, south‐east Saurashtra, Western India

AbstractCoastal dune systems consisting of allochemical grains are important sedimentary archives of Pleistocene age in both of the hemispheres between the latitudes of 20° to 40°. The south Saurashtra coast in western India exhibits a large section of Middle Pleistocene aeolianites in the form of coastal cliffs, which is famous as ‘Miliolite’. Miliolites of Gopnath in south‐east Saurashtra are the oldest known coastal aeolianite deposits (age >156 ka which corresponds to Marine Isotope Stage 6) in western India. Aeolian deposits of similar ages have also been reported from the Thar Desert in north‐west India and from Southern Arabia which were largely controlled by the south‐west monsoon wind system that affects the entire belt corresponding to Sahara–Sahel, the Arabian Peninsula and north‐western India. Miliolite deposits in Gopnath are characterized by grainfall, grainflow and wind ripple laminations. At least three types of aeolian bounding surfaces have been identified. Five major facies have been identified which represent the dune and interdune relationship within the coastal aeolian system. The major dune bodies are identified as transverse dune types. The Gopnath aeolianites were deposited under dominantly dry aeolian conditions. Facies association reveals two different phases of aeolian accumulation, namely initiation of aeolian sedimentation after a prolonged hiatus and the establishment of a regularized aeolian sedimentation system. While initiation of aeolian sedimentation is marked by vast stretches of sheet sand with occasional dune bodies, the overlying thick, tabular, laterally extensive cross‐stratified units manifest regular aeolian sedimentation. However, the dune building events in Gopnath were interrupted by development of laterally extensive palaeosol horizons. Eustasy and climate exerted the major allogenic controls on the aeolian sedimentation by affecting the sediment budget as well as influencing the sedimentation pattern.

Appraisal of optimal sowing time based on heat indices and row spacing for summer guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.

A field experiment was conducted during summer seasons of 2013 to 2015 on clayey soil of Junagadh (Gujarat) to ascertain proper time of sowing (4th week of January, 2nd week of February and 4th week of February) and spacing (30 x 15 cm, 45 x 15 cm and 60 x 15 cm) in relation to growth and yield of guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.]. The results revealed that sowing in 2nd week of February enhanced growth and yield attributes viz., plant height, pods per plant and test weight and ultimately gave higher seed yield (1387 kg/ha) and stalk yield (2846 kg/ha) with higher growing degree days (GDD), helio thermal units (HTU), photo thermal units (PTU) and heat use efficiency (HUE) as well as higher net returns (Rs. 42, 051/ha) and B: C ratio (2.29) over early (4th week of January) and late (4th week of February) sowing. The results further indicated that 45 x 15 cm spacing promoted growth and yield attributes viz., plant height, branches per plant, pods per plant and test weight compared to 30 x 15 cm and 60 x 15 cm, which reflected in higher seed yield (1272 kg/ha) and stalk yield (2680 kg/ha) along with higher net returns (Rs. 37, 154/ha) and B: C ratio (2.03) over 30 x 15 cm and 60 x 15 cm spacing. Therefore, sowing in 2nd week of February (when soil temperature >22.3oC at 5 cm and >23.9oC at 10 cm depth) and spacing of 45 x 15 cm could be appropriate for maximizing yield and monetary returns from summer guar under south Saurashtra agro-climatic conditions of Gujarat.

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Groundwater utilization and management: policy guidelines for the South West Saurashtra region

The South West part of Saurashtra is connected to Arabian Sea which in the Southern side of Junagadh city (Gujarat, India). The study area covers 14 Taluka blocks and which mostly depends on groundwater for irrigation. An attempt has been made to assess the groundwater resources and groundwater quality in the region for its prospect and sustainable development. Groundwater potential was estimated by Thiessen Polygon network, aquifer properties, and ground water-level fluctuations. Contour maps of pre- and post-monsoon absolute head, water table and change in water table were prepared using their 3 year (2009 and 2011) average values. The contour maps were prepared using tools like, Bhuvan, Google earth and AutoCAD software. Absolute water head was determined subtracting water table from the reduce level. The reduced level at ground surface beside observation well was recorded using global positioning system and Google earth. The storage coefficient and transmissibility were determined by pumping well test using Papadopoulos and Jacob methods. Variations in the region in storage coefficient and transmissibility are presented by contour maps. Estimated groundwater potential was verified basis on (1) water balance sheet, (2) estimated groundwater draft, and (3) MODFLOW solution. The water balance sheet was prepared by comparing total water potential and total water consumption in the region; groundwater draft was estimated by pumping structures working in the region. The groundwater potential of South West Saurashtra region was estimated 4060.67 million cubic meter (MCM), 1747.21 MCM direct rainfall recharge was estimated, and 2313.45 MCM recharge from water harvesting structures was estimated. Change in water table has negative values and shows that groundwater level in the region is in increasing in trend. Groundwater quality classification maps were prepared based on three parameters electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and residual sodium carbonate (RSC); Sharma and Minhas (Management options and policy guidelines for use of poor quality groundwater in agriculture, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, 2003). Result shows that the region may be divided into three groundwater quality classes for irrigation under post-monsoon observation: 7598.09, 1564.05, and 139.95 km2 areas were found as Good, Marginal saline, and Saline classes, respectively. While in pre-monsoon observation, 7168.48, 1628.38, and 505.23 km2 areas were under Good, Marginal saline, and saline classes, respectively. During post- and pre-monsoon groundwater, samples were collected from each observation well. Chemical parameters, such as EC, pH, Na, Ca, Mg, Ca + Mg, CO3, HCO3, Cl, Mg/Ca, SAR, RSC, SSP (soluble sodium percentage), and total soluble salts, were determined by standard methods. MODFLOW mass balance shows that water resource in the region for 930 days was found positive (IN–OUT) 20,480.00 m3; positive value indicates gain in water resources in the region, but gain was negligible.

Modeling daily reference evapotranspiration in middle south Saurashtra region of India for monsoon season using most dominant meteorological variables and the FAO-56 Penman-Monteith method

Many methods are available to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ETo) from standard meteorological observations. The FAO-56 Penman-Monteith method is considered to be the most physical and reliable method and is often used as a standard to verify other empirical methods. However, it needs a lot of different input parameters. Hence, in the present study, a model based on most dominant meteorological variables influencing ETo is proposed to estimate ETo in the Middle South Saurashtra region of Gujarat (India). The performance of five different alternative methods and proposed model is compared with the standard FAO-56 Penman-Monteith method. The five quantitative standard statistical performance evaluation measures, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (E), coefficient of determination (R2), refined Willmott’s index (dr), root mean square of errors-observations standard deviation ratio (RSR) and mean absolute error (MAE) are employed in evaluating the performance of the selected methods and proposed model. The results show that the developed model and Hargreaves and Samani (1985) method with recalibrated parameters provide the most reliable results in estimation of (ETo) and it can be recommended for estimating (ETo) in the study region.

Integrated weed management in Kharif blackgram

A field experiment was conducted on medium black calcareous clayey soil at Pulses Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during three seasons of 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2014–15 to study the efficacy of pre-and post-emergence herbicides in Kharif blackgram (cv. GU-1). The quizalofop- ethyl 40 g/ha as post-emergence (PoE) at 20 days after seeding (DAS) + hand weeding (HW) at 40 days after seeding (DAS) and pendimethalin 900 g/ha as pre-emergence (PE) + hand weeding (HW) at 40 DAS were found equally effective to the weed-free check in controlling weeds and improving growth and yield attributes and ultimately seed yield (1.14 and 1.13 t/ha) and straw yield (1.26 and 1.33 t/ha) of blackgram. These treatments also recorded higher weed control efficiency (65.3 - 63.1%), herbicide efficiency index (81.1 - 82.3%), lower weed index (9.1 - 9.7%) and minimum weed dry biomass (273.9 - 291.7 kg/ha) and higher net returns (‘ 21,230 and ‘ 21,162/ha). Integrated weed management practices with herbicides as a component were found effective and economical under south Saurashtra agro-climatic conditions of Gujarat.

GIS based mapping of spatio-temporal distribution pattern of ribbonfish Trichiurus lepturus (Linnaeus, 1758) along Saurashtra coast, India

Identification of spatio-temporal distribution of fish species represents fundamental information for stock assessment which in turn is essential for formulation of fishery management plans as well as for GIS based decision making. This study investigated the spatio-temporal distribution and abundance of different life stages of ribbonfish, Trichiurus lepturus (Linnaeus, 1758) off Saurashtra coast. Geographical coordinates of fishing and allied information on the time of fishing, depth of the fishing area as well as catch details were collected using a structured schedule, from selected trawlers operated from Veraval. Information was mapped using a GIS software to get the spatio-temporal distribution of the species. It was observed that juveniles were more abundant along the south Saurashtra coast whereas subadults and adults showed a discontinuous distribution with abundance in the waters off south Saurashtra as well as north Saurashtra coasts.

Effect of Plant Growth Retardants on Growth, Flowering and Yield of Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum Morifolium Ramat.) cv. IIHR-6

The present experiment was conducted on chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) cv. IIHR-6 at Jambu Vadi Farm, College of Agriculture, JAU, Junagadh during winter season of 2013-14 under South Saurashtra agro climatic condition. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with Factorial concept with two time of spray viz., spray at 30 days after transplanting (S1) and spray at 60 days after transplanting (S2) and six treatment of plant growth retardants viz., MH 500 @ mg l-1 (P1), MH 700 @ mg l-1 (P2), CCC @ 2000 mg l-1 (P3), CCC @ 2500 mg l-1 (P4), PCB @ 0.4 ml l-1 (P5), PCB @ 0.5 ml l-1 (P6) were sprayed including control (P7). The effect of different time of sprays and plant growth retardants on growth, flowering and yield of chrysanthemum cv. ‘IIHR-6’ were found significant. The vigorous growth in terms of plant height at 90 DAT (52.65 cm) and at the time of final harvest (63.34 cm) was noticed the highest in control (P7) treatment while, the number of branches per plant at 90 DAT (28.80) and at the time of final harvest 34.89), plant spread in N - S (52.15 cm and 60.78 cm) and E - W direction (53.25 and 62.45 cm) at 90 DAT and at time of final harvest, respectively; fresh weight of plant (317.55 g) and dry weight of plant (35.87 g) recorded maximum under plant receiving MH @ 700 mg l-1 (P2). Consequently, these plants produced early flowers (70.94 days), took minimum days for 50 per cent flowering (101.16 days) with maximum flowering span (46.36 days), flower diameter (6.33 cm), shelf life (5.00 days) of flower as well as vase life (9.05 days) of flower. The yield of flowers (13.43 t ha -1) also produced maximum in these treatment. Interaction between different time of spray and plant growth retardants was found to be non significant in case of growth, flowering and yield of flowers, except diameters of flower. Economics of chrysanthemum indicated that the plant sprayed at 30 days after transplanting (S1) and treated with MH @ 700 mg l-1 (P2) found most remunerative as they gave highest net returns (Rs. 208980) with maximum Benefit Cost Ratio (1:4.50). It can be concluded that the foliar application of MH @ 700 mg l-1 at 30 days after transplanting proved superior in terms of growth, flowering, flower yield and more economical as compared to all other growth retardants treatments.

Seasonal variations in seawater quality of two tourism affected shores off South Saurashtra Coastline, India

The nature and distribution of the flora and fauna in the aquatic system are mainly controlled by the fluctuations in the physical and chemical characteristics of the water body (Sundaramanickamet al., 2008). The Arabian Sea is considered as one of the most productive zones in the world oceans (Qasim, 1977; De Sousa et al., 1996). Coastal regions between Okha and Bhavnagar is now a hot-spot for mega industries like Refineries, Cement, Chemicals, Soda Ash, Rayon, Power plant, Fertilizer and other supportive industries. This coastline is known for its rich marine life especially intertidal biota in its extended intertidal and sub tidal areas (Shukla and Misra, 1977). Going through the literature it was revealed that water quality studies of this area were patchy and meager (Bhadja and Kundu, 2012). Present studies therefore, have been aimed to set up a seasonal database of standard water quality parameters of five shores along the South Saurashtra coastline which are favorite for setting up mega industries or SEZ's. The investigation was carried out from November-2011 to April-2012 at two different stations Veradale (200 53' N, 700 26' E) and Diu (200 42' N, 710 01' E) along the South Saurashtra coastline of Arabian Sea (Figure 1). Veradale coast being, a part of the biggest commercial fishing centers in Asia, receives a huge amount of wastes, oil and effluents from the port. It also receives wastewater from domestic sewage system as well as from heavy industries and small scale fish processing plants of the city. On the other hand Diu, a small tourist town, is devoid of sorts of major industrial pollution and anthropogenic pressure. Each sampling stations were visited monthly and at least six samples of surface seawater were collected from different locations of the same coast. However, the locations for the collection of samples in a particular coast were fixed. Seawater samples were collected once in a month at uniform space from all the sampling sites for various water quality parameters. All the Parameters were determined following methods given in American Public Health Association (1995) and Trivedi and Goel (1986). Some of the parameters such aspH, Temperature, Conductivity measurement were carried out at site immediately after the collection of the water samples, while for other parameters, sample.

Socio-Economic Profile of Maldhari Dairy Farmers of South Saurashtra Region

Dairy farming plays an important role in social and economic livelihood of the Maldhari dairy farmers. The present study was conducted in Junagadh and Gir Somnath districts of Saurashtra region. Two talukas were randomly selected from each district. Three villages were selected from each talukas and from each village 10 respondents who possess minimum five dairy animals were selected randomly. The data were collected with the help of predesigned interview schedule by personal interview. The collected data were analyzed by using simple statistical methods like frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficient. The results indicate that majority (70.83 %) of the Maldhari dairy farmers belonged to middle age group, 40.83 per cent of them educated up to secondary level and 78.33 per cent from them belonged to OBC category, majority (59.17 %) of Maldhari dairy farmers had medium annual income, 47.50 per cent of Maldhari dairy farmers had large size of family and 70.83 per cent of them belonged to joint family, majority (54.17 per cent) of Maldhari dairy farmers had animal husbandry plus agricultureas main occupation. The socio-economic parameters viz. extension participation among Maldhari farmers was of medium level, they had medium level of experience in animal husbandry activities, used medium level of sources of information and had small heard size of animals.

Rainfall diagnosis in context of cereal yields in Gujarat

The present study was undertaken to analyze annual average rainfall in Gujarat in order to classify and define the targeted zones and to know the impact of rainfall variability on agriculture in the state. The results revealed that the Northwest Agro-climatic zone was the most vulnerable zone among all the agro-climatic zones due to extreme deviations in rainfall pattern. This was followed by north Saurashtra, South saurashtra and Middle Gujarat Zone. The southern hills zone had the least per cent of years with extreme deviations. Water management practices such as drip irrigation, deepening wells, constructing check-dams; integrated watershed management as well as insurance coverage and microfinancing facilities have been suggested as mitigation strategies to overcome the adverse impact of rainfall variability on agricultural production.

Effect of crop geometry and drip irrigation levels on sugarcane in South Saurashtra region of India

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of crop geometry and irrigation levels on sugarcane under drip irrigation at Main Sugarcane Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Kodinar during 2011-14. The treatment consisted of three crop geometry (90 cm normal planting, paired row planting (60: 90 cm) and paired row planting (60: 120 cm) and three drip irrigation levels (0.5 PEF, 0.7 PEF and 0.9 PEF) and with an extra treatment (control) having surface irrigation (90 cm) at 1.0 IW/CPE ratio. Experimental results indicated that paired row (60: 90 cm) planting gave significantly higher cane yield (101.04 t/ha) over 60: 120 cm paired row planting (88.82 t/ha) and remained at par with 90 cm row spacing (97.34 t/ha). Drip irrigation level of 0.9 PEF gave significantly higher cane yield (108.63 t/ha) over 0.7 PEF (96.01 t/ha) and 0.5 PEF (82.56 t/ha). Juice quality parameters like brix, sucrose, purity and sugar recovery percent were not affected significantly due to either crop geometry or different drip irrigation levels. Significantly higher cane yield was recorded under drip irrigation (95.74 t/ha) compared to surface irrigation (76.86 t/ha). The total water use was not affected due to different crop geometries. Water use decreased constantly in 0.7 and 0.5 PEF compared to 0.9 PEF and accordingly WUE increased.

Residual effect of pre and post emergence herbicides and fertility levels on succeeding crops after soybean

Herbicides proved important tool in modern farming systems. With the intense farming practice and multiple cropping, the paucity of agricultural labour is seen. Their peak demand for a short period, inaccessible field conditions during crop seasons also encourages using herbicides in modern farming. But continuous application of herbicides in intense cropping systems may leads to it’s residue accumulation in the soil. This persistence of a herbicide may limit the choice of succeeding crops. Therefore, residual studies are essential to determine the feasibility of any herbicide. Rabi sorghum, bajra, barley and ragi are the important succeeding crops grown after soybean in South Saurashtra region. Therefore, the present study about residual effect of pre and post emergence herbicides and fertility levels in succeeding crops after soybean was undertaken at Instructional Farm of Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during Kharif season of 2006. Eighteen treatment combinations comprising six levels of weed management practices as main plot treatments viz., W 1 Pre-emergence pendimethalin @ 0.5 kg ha + HW and IC at 30 DAS, W 2 – Postemergence quizalofop-ethyl @ 40 g ha at 25 DAS + HW and IC at 45 DAS, W 3 Post-emergence imazethapyr @ 75 g ha at 25 DAS + HW and IC at 45 DAS , W 4 2 HW + 2 IC at 20 and 40 DAS, W 5 Weed free upto 60 DAS through hand weeding and W 6 Unweeded control and three levels of fertilizers as sub plot treatments viz., F 1 20:40:20 kg N:P 2 O 5 :K 2 O ha F 2 30:60:30 kg N:P 2 O 5 :K 2 O ha F 3 40:80:40 kg N:P 2 O 5 :K 2 O ha were tried in Split Plot Design with three replications. The soil of the experimental plot was low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and high in available potash. Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin herbicide was done after 24 hours of sowing of soybean and post pre-emergence application of herbicide quizalofop-ethyl and imazethapyr was done after 25 days after sowing. The succeeding crops Rabi sorghum, bajra, barley and ragi were sown after harvesting of soybean within a week. The biometric observation about germination percentage of succeeding crops was done after 10 days of sowing. Plant height

Evaluation of Bt. cotton-based cropping systems in south Saurashtra region of Gujarat

Evaluation of Bt. cotton-based cropping systems in south Saurashtra region of Gujarat

Estimation of Reference Evapotranspiration in Middle South Saurashtra Region of India Using Dominant Meteorological Variables

In this paper attempt is made to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ETo) from standard meteorological observations. The FAO-56 Penman-Monteith method is the most physical, reliable and mostly used as a standard to verify other empirical methods. However, it needs a lot of different input parameters. Hence, in the present study, a model based on most dominant meteorological variables influencing ETo is proposed to estimate ETo in the Middle South Saurashtra region of Gujarat (India). The performance of five different alternative methods and proposed model is compared keeping the FAO-56 Penman-Monteith method as reference. The models are evaluated by using Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (E), (R2), (dr), (RSR) and (MAE) statistical criterions. The results show that the developed model and Hargreaves and Samani (1985) method provide the most reliable results in estimation of (ETo), and it can be recommended for estimating (ETo) in the study region.

Impact of GDD on phenology of mango (Mangifera indica)

The present investigation was undertaken to see the influence of Heat Units on the phenological changes in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars under South Saurashtra agro-climatic conditions at Department of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during year 2012-13 and 2013-14. The treatments were comprised of three locations, viz. Junagadh (L1), Talala (L2) and Dhari (L3) and three commercial important mango varieties, viz. Kesar (V1), Alphonso (V2) and Rajapuri (V3). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with Factorial concept (FRBD) and replicated four times. Significantly the minimum days for bud differentiation (166.46 days with 1402.94 GDD), early flower initiation (73.04 days with 420.36 GDD) and short flowering span (60.42 days with 444.69 GDD) was observed at Talala location. Among the varieties, early flower initiation (75.83 days and 381.04 GDD) and compact flowering span (60.63 days with 382.84 GDD) was observed in Kesar. The minimum days for fruit set (24.33 with 131.61 GDD), pea stage (20.63 with 173.10 GDD), marble stage (42.96 days and 446.48 GDD), egg stage (69.17 days and 809.13 GDD) and maturity (93.75 days with 1272.06 GDD) were rerecorded at Talala location, whereas early fruit set (24.00 days with 100.63 GDD), pea stage (20.83 days with 144.47 GDD), marble stage (43.67 days and 361.66 GDD), egg stage (70.54 days and 694.79 GDD) and maturity (95.88 days and 1062.71 GDD) was also noted in Kesar. The highest fruit set at pea (13.84%), marble (1.57%), egg stage (0.31%) and fruit retention (1.39%) were recorded at Talala. Among the varieties, the maximum fruit set at pea stage (13.84%) was recorded in Alphonso, while it was the maximum at marble (1.60%), egg stage (0.32%) and fruit retention (1.32%) in Kesar. However, the maximum numbers of fruits/tree were recorded at Talala location (335.21) in Alphonso variety (344.33).