Southern Transition Zone Research Articles

Monthly, Annual and Seasonal Changes in Temperature by Using Mann Kendall and Sen’s Slope Estimator in Karnataka, India

The mean annual minimum temperature during the period 1979-2019 has increased significantly in Eastern dry zone, Southern dry zone and Southern transition zone to a cumulative of total of 0.010°C, 0.013°C and 0.08 °C respectively while it has decreased significantly in Hilly zone with a magnitude of -0.032°C. The annual maximum temperature significantly increased in North eastern transition zone (0.018°C), North eastern dry zone (0.017°C), Northern dry zone (0.014°C), Central dry zone (0.010°C), Eastern dry zone (0.011°C), Southern dry zone (0.013°C), Southern transition zone (0.016°), Northern transition zone (0.016°C) and Coastal zone (0.018°C). The hilly zone experienced a decrease in annual maximum temperature by-0.055°C. Therefore, it is evidential that, Karnataka is getting raised over the years. Researchers should develop crop varieties that are insensitive to temperature changes and scientist should develop packages of practices which will reduce adverse effect of fluctuations in climate parameters on crop productivity.

Growth indices and drymatter production of groundnut as influenced by various farming types and cropping system under Southern transition Zone of Karnataka

Growth indices and drymatter production of groundnut as influenced by various farming types and cropping system under Southern transition Zone of Karnataka

Performance of Blackgram as Influenced by Water Soluble Fertilizers and PGPR under Rainfed Situation

Lower production potential of blackgram grown under rainfed situation due to lack of proper nutrition during critical crop growth stages. So, investigation was carried out with an objective to study the effect of water-soluble fertilizers and PGPR on performance of blackgram during Kharif-2019, a field study was carried out at University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga which comes under Southern Transition Zone of Karnataka. Experimental design was laid out in randomized complete block design with thirteen treatments and replicated thrice. Treatments include combination of 19:19:19, monopotassium phosphate @ different dosage foliar spray with and without PGPR treatment along with package of practices. Water soluble fertilizers viz., 19:19:19 (N: P: K) and mono potassium phosphate (0:52:34) were used in treatment combinations along with PGPR. The Results revealed that, foliar application of 19:19:19 and mono potassium phosphate @ 1 per cent each at 30 and 45 days after sowing + PGPR along with a package of practice recorded significantly higher plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf and stem dry weight, crude protein (26.54 %), seed yield (1167 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (2019 kg ha-1) over package of practice treatment and also positive correlation was found between growth and yield parameters with seed yield and haulm yield.

Impact of mulching and nutrient management under pulses based cropping systems on vertisols of southern transitional zone of Karnataka

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of mulching and nutrient management under different pulse based cropping system during 2018-19 at Indian Institute Pulses Research, Regional Research Station, Dharwad, Karnataka, India. The field experiment was conducted in deep black soil using split-split plot design with three replications. The treatments comprised of four cropping systems i.e., maize-chickpea, soybean-chickpea, groundnut-chickpea and mungbean-sorghum and two levels of fertilisation (farmers practise and recommended rate of fertilisers) with mulching and without mulching. The pooled yield of different crops under cropping system was significantly higher with mulching and recommended rate of fertilizer application. Among the different cropping systems, maize-chickpea was recorded significantly higher chickpea equivalent yield (3867 kg/ha) compared to other cropping system. Application of recommended rate of fertilizers resulted in higher chickpea equivalent yield of 2794 kg/ha over farmers’ practice. Among the mulching practices, mulching with crop residues recorded significantly higher chickpea equivalent yield of 4257 kg/ha over no mulching (3754 kg/ha). Higher yields of component crops are reported in recommended rate of fertilisers with mulching. Hence, for realising higher system productivity and net returns, it is better to grow maize during kharif season followed by chickpea in rabi season with recommended rate of fertilisers and crop residue mulching for in-situ moisture conservation.

Impact Assessment of Water Users’ Co-operatives Initiative on Farms Returns in Bhadra Command Area of Shivamogga District, Karnataka, India

The present study was undertaken in Southern Transition Zone of Karnataka to estimate the impact of water users’ cooperatives (WUCs) initiative on returns realized by farmers in study area. Four villages of Bhadravathi taluk were selected, two having active WUCs i.e Kagekodamagge and Dananayakapura and remaining two having flaccid WUCs i.e Sriramanagara and Tiplapura. The required data was collected from 30 farmers from each WUCs. The net returns per ha for Arecanut (A), Arecanut+Coconut (A+C), Arecanut+Coconut+Banana (A+C+B), paddy and sugarcane was higher in farms under active water users’ co-operatives (Rs.6,45,094, Rs.7,07,192, Rs.8,08,093, Rs.8,166 and Rs.54,931) than flaccid water users’ co-operatives (Rs.4,26,072, Rs.4,50,459, Rs.5,28,057, Rs.7,284 and Rs.39,740). This can be mainly attributed to equitable distribution of water from head reach to tail reach along the canal in active water users’ cooperatives. For A, A+C and A+C+B cropping systems there was not much difference in net returns per ha between head reach (Rs. 4,76,100, Rs. 5,16,378 and Rs. 5,82,923 respectively) and tail reach (Rs. 4,31,215, Rs. 4,70,616 and Rs. 5,33,816 respectively) farmers of active water users’ co-operatives. Whereas in areas under flaccid water users’ co-operatives, the net returns per ha for head reach farmers was higher by Rs. 52,553, Rs. 64,142 and Rs. 1,45,721 over the tail reach farmers. The results from the study draw attention for the need of activating flaccid WUCs and establishing new WUCs in command areas to achieve higher net returns by all farmers along the canal.

Change Point Detection of Temperature in Karnataka State in India During the Period 1979-2019

This paper deals with study of exposure of Karnataka state to climate change for a period 1979-2019. The Mann Whitney Pettit’s homogeneity test (MWP) was analysed for 240 data sets for monthly data of minimum (MTmin) and maximum temperature (MT max) across ten agro climatic zones) to estimate the year of structural break or year of shift in mean monthly temperature from one level to next higher level during the forty years of study period i.e., 1979-2019. About 77 data sets were identified to show year of structural break The annual mean temperature recorded anupward shift in all the agro climatic zones of Karnataka except in hilly zone. The break year was chosen based on its frequent occurrence in data sets of minimum and maximum temperature. It is observed to be 1998 for North Eastern Transition Zone and is 1997, 1994, 1996, 1995, 1996, 1999, 1999, 1999 and 1997 for North Eastern Dry Zone, Northern Dry Zone, Central Dry Zone, Eastern Dry Zone, Southern Dry Zone, Southern Transition Zone, Northern Transition Zone, Hilly Zone and Coastal Zone respectively. Therefore, it is a evidential picture reflecting the increase in temperatures across the zones. Researchers should develop crop varieties that are insensitive to temperature changes and should develop packages of practices which will mitigate adverse effect of fluctuations in climate parameters on crop productivity.

Effect of different planting geometry of transplanted pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) as an intercrop in young arecanut (Areca catechu) garden at Southern Transitional Zone of Karnataka, India

A field experiment was conducted during 2017–18, 2018–19 and 2019–20, to study the influence of planting methods on growth and productivity of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with 8 treatment combinations and replicated thrice. Pooled data indicated that transplanted pigeonpea at 60 cm × 30 cm geometry gave significantly higher pigeonpea seed and stalk yield (2,353 and 6,533 kg/ha respectively), and it was followed by 60 cm × 60 cm spacing (2,072 and 5,852 kg/ha respectively). The above-mentioned treatments also recorded significantly higher total uptake of nitrogen (129.18 and 123.39 kg/ha respectively), phosphorus (36.84 and 32.40 kg/ha respectively) and potassium (62.57 and 57.58 kg/ha respectively), whereas, higher available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (246.64, 35.87 and 155.65 kg/ ha respectively) were recorded in 180 cm × 30 cm. Further higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in arecanut leaf (Areca catechu L.) was observed in 60 cm × 60 cm (1.72 %), 120 cm × 30 cm (0.260 and 1.20 %) as compared to other planting geometry in young arecanut garden.

Effect of varied levels of NPK fertilizer management on growth, yield and yield attributes of maize in maize based intercropping systems under Southern Transitional zone of Karnataka

Effect of varied levels of NPK fertilizer management on growth, yield and yield attributes of maize in maize based intercropping systems under Southern Transitional zone of Karnataka

A box on the river: The phylogenetics and phylogeography of Eucalyptus baueriana (Eucalyptus sect. Adnataria ser. Heterophloiae).

We present a phylogeographic study of the tree species Eucalyptus baueriana Schauer, which occurs in disjunct areas on the near coastal plains and ranges of the south-east Australian mainland. DArTseq data are used to build a phylogeny including E. baueriana and closely related taxa to test its monophyly, test the genetic distinctness of the three subspecies of E. baueriana, and investigate relationships between its disjunct populations. Additionally, we use population structure analysis to investigate the genetic distinctness of populations, and MaxEnt to investigate the environmental factors potentially influencing the species' distribution. We show E. baueriana is monophyletic and most closely related to three other Blue Box eucalypt species: E. conica H.Deane & Maiden, E. dalveenica T.L.Collins, R.L.Andrew & J.J.Bruhl and E. magnificata L.A.S.Johnson & K.D.Hill, with some evidence for genetic introgression between these taxa. Within E. baueriana, the deepest genetic breaks do not correspond with the subspecies classification as the two geographically restricted subspecies, together with samples of the more widespread E. baueriana subsp. baueriana from west of the Gippsland lowlands, form a south-western clade with that is sister to other populations of subsp. baueriana. The oldest genetic break in the species occurs in far eastern Gippsland (Victoria), corresponding to one of the shortest geographic disjunctions in the species' distribution. Genetic breaks in other species have been observed in this region which is broadly referred to as the southern transition zone. Both total annual rainfall and the seasonality of this rainfall are hypothesised to affect the species' distribution; gaps in its distribution are in areas of higher rainfall that support closed forest and in regions with more winter dominated rainfall.

Effect of Microbial Enriched Arecahusk Compost on Growth and Yield Attributes of Maize in Typic Rhodustalf of Southern Transitional Zone of Karnataka

ABSTRACT Currently, the majority of arecahusk waste is disposed of through combustion, leading to the loss of a potential source of organic matter and nutrient source. The value of arecanut waste as an organic material has not been fully realized so far. With this in view, an experiment was designed for arecanut husk composting at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Bhavikere, during the kharif season and followed by a sequential cropping system consisting of maize followed by green gram in two consecutive years (2020–21 and 2021–22). The design includes 10 replicated treatments thrice in a fully randomized complete block design. Results indicated that application of 75% RDN with 25% RDN as Arecahusk Compost (AHC) and entire quantity of recommended dose of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) as AHC (based on N equivalent) increased the growth parameters like plant height (235.89, 265.63 cm), number of leaves (14.57, 16.61), and drymatter (394.67,428.22 g plant−1) over control which received 100% RDN and recommended dose of FYM (7.5 t/ha). Similar results were recorded for the yield attributes like cob length (20.88, 24.03 cm), cob girth (18.51, 19.86 cm), number of grains per row (37.79, 40.40), number of kernels per cob (597.14 and 608.67), root length (21.90 23.40 cm), root biomass (14.33, 15.61 q ha−1), grain yield (93.60, 95.67 q ha−1) and stover yield (110.66, 116.15 q ha−1) in both years. Growth and yield attributes were significantly correlated with grain and stover yields of maize (0.96*** to 1.00***). It was recorded 14.89% grain yield increase over control.

Quantitative palaeobiogeography of the Kungurian–Roadian brachiopod faunas in the Tethys: Implications of allometric drifting of Cimmerian blocks and opening of the Meso-Tethys Ocean

Benthic faunas and their palaeobiogeographic affinities related to climate gradient can provide insightful information to unravel the tectonic histories of their hosted blocks if they moved across different latitude zones. In this study, three different quantitative analyses (network, cluster and non-metric multi-dimensional scaling analyses) are employed to carry out a palaeobiogeographic study of the Kungurian–Roadian brachiopod faunas of the Cimmerian blocks. A spin-glass algorithm that enables network community detection is here used for the first time and its six groups-partition is considered as the optimal solution. Two new palaeobiogeographic subprovinces, the Southern and Northern Cimmerian subprovinces in the Southern Transitional Zone, are first recognised besides the previously perceived Cathaysian, Transhimalayan, Westralian and Austrazean provinces. Based on distinct palaeobiogeographic discrepancies, it is suggested that the Lhasa, Tengchong and Irrawaddy blocks, constituting the main parts of the Southern Cimmerian Subprovince, were probably situated near the peri-Gondwanan region; whereas the South Qiangtang, Baoshan and Sibuma blocks of the Northern Cimmerian Subprovince probably were located in the temperate region of the southern hemisphere during the Cisuralian to Guadalupian transition. Such discrepancies in palaeobiogeographic affinitites between two continental slices imply that the Meso-Tethys Ocean had existed before the late Cisuralian and its present oceanic remnants are represented by the Bangong-Nujiang Suture Zone in central Tibet, the Gaoligongshan shear zone in western Yunnan and the Medial-Myanmar Suture Zone in southern Myanmar and Peninsula Thailand. Moreover, the Neo-Tethys Ocean had likely co-existed with the Meso-Tethys Ocean during that time. Given that all these blocks were attached to the northern peri-Gondwanan margin during the early Cisuralian, the Kungurian-Roadian faunal discrepancies among different continental slices with a distinct latitude gradient can be interpreted by the allometric northward drifting of the Cimmerian blocks, which led to the formation of the Meso-Tethys and Neo-Tethys oceans.

Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Drought Severity: A Study in Transition Zone of Karnataka State in India

Rainfall data from 1979-2019 was analysed across the agro climatic zones in transition region of Karnataka. Rainfall Anomaly Index and Mean deviation methods are used to identify drought years and wet years over both spatial and temporal on time scale. The North Eastern Transition Zone can be considered as most vulnerable zone as it recorded for about 24 dry years values which indicates existence of persistence drought in this zone. The Northern Transition Zone is not vulnerable when compared to Northern Eastern Transition Zone as most of the drought year values are nearer to wet year values (RAI -0.3 to -1.2) which implies that this zone has moderate drought condition. The Southern transition zone has normal drought condition (RAI +0.3 to -0.3) which implies neither wet nor neither dry condition. But if proper conservations were not taken, this zone may come in the hit list of most vulnerable zone in near future which will harm the farming community.

Correlation and path-coefficient analysis for yield and yield components of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) genotypes

An experiment was conducted during 2017-19 at Forest Research Station (FRS), Govinkovi, Davangere district which is situated in the Southern Transitional Zone of Karnataka with 16 tamarind genotypes (K-9, NTI-52, K-11, S-7, S-8, S-14, S-3, N-6, D-2, C-4, D-9, NTI-89, D-19, S-6, K-10 and K-12). In this study, yield and yield components were analyzed for correlation and path analysis. The results revealed that, the pod yield per tree exhibited significant and positive association with pod weight (0.6417 and 0.6729), pulp weight (0.6324 and 0.6698), shell weight (0.6096 and 0.6520), fibre weight (0.6005 and 0.6458), pod length (0.5712 and 0.6142), seed weight (0.4660 and 0.4755), pod thickness (0.3714 and 0.4162) and pod width (0.3317 and 0.4311). While, the pod length (0.0674), pod thickness (0.0866), pod weight (0.0240), pulp weight (0.2121), shell weight (0.3169), seed weight (0.4787), fibre weight (0.2821) and number of pods per tree (0.3494) exhibited positive direct effect on pod yield per tree. Since the pod length, pod weight and pod thickness are the measures of pod size, the larger the pod, the heavier the pulp weight. Hence, these yield components can be used as criteria in selection programme for developing elite cultivar in tamarind. Keywords: Correlation, path co-efficient analysis, tamarind, yield and yield components.

UTILIZING VILLAGE WATER BODIES FOR POLYCULTURE OF FISH AND PRAWN: ROLE OF INPUTS IN PRODUCTION ENHANCEMENT

A field study on participatory technology development (PTD) approaches was taken up in the southern transitional zone (Zone 7) of Karnataka in village water bodies leased by the Grama Panchayat. Polyculture of Indian Major Carps catla and rohu with freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii was investigated. The experimental water bodies were of the size 0.8 to 1.0 ha, having an average depth of 1.8 m to 2 m. After observing pre-stocking management measures, the water bodies were stocked with fingerlings of catla and rohu at 0.5 /m2each and juveniles of prawn at1/m2. In T1, replicate water bodies received cow dung as manure at 6 t/ha, applied in split doses of 375 kg once every fortnight and the fish were fed at the rate of 3% of body weight daily in the morning hours. Water bodies receiving only cow dung at 6t/ha were designated T2. Two water bodies without either of the inputs served as the control and were designated as T3. The average total production in T1 treatment was significantly higher at 3401.40 kg/ha compared to T2 and T3, which recorded 1674.25 kg/ha and 975.75 kg/ha production respectively. Production of the prawn was 544.50 kg/ha, 146.75 kg/ha and 45.25 kg/ha in T1, T2, and T3 treatments. The average survival rate of fish was 83.41%, 54.39%, and 32.16%, while that of the prawn was 64.55%, 34.65% and 28.6% respectively. The study indicates that use of manure and feed in polyculture of fish and prawns could be a viable strategy for enhancing productivity and profitability in village water bodies.

Heterosis and character association studies in CMS Hybrids of FCV tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum L.)

Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum L.) is a promising commercial crop in semi-arid and rain-fed areas delivering economic benefits to farmers in comparison to all other crops cultivated. In India, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are the major states cultivating FCV tobacco. In Karnataka, it is cultivated in Karnataka Light Soils (KLS) covering southern transitional zone during kharif season as a rainfed crop. Currently, Kanchan, FCH-222 and CH-3 are the popular cultivars grown in KLS region. Release of improved high yielding varieties/hybrids is the key for varietal diversification and yield enhancement of tobacco in this region. In this connection, commercial exploitation of F1 hybrids through heterosis breeding can play a significant role in enhancing yield and quality. Further very few reports on studies on standard heterosis in FCV Tobacco are available. Hence, the present study involving eight CMS hybrids was undertaken to estimate standard heterosis for yield and yield related traits, and to ascertain interrelationships among the yield related characters and their influence on cured leaf yield. Eight CMS based hybrids (CMS2×A4, CMS6×A4, CMS7×A4, CMS10×A4, CMS2×CY142, CMS6×CY142, CMS7×CY142, CMS10×CY14) were evaluated at ICARCTRI, Research Station, Hunsur, Karnataka, India along with checks for three years (2018-21). Significant higher heterosis in desirable direction for cured leaf yield and for various yield attributing characters was observed among the hybrids, which can be exploited commercially. Four promising CMS hybrids were identified, CMS7 × A4; CMS6 × A4; CMS10 × A4 and CMS2 × CY142 which recorded significant positive heterosis for cured leaf, can enhance the productivity limit set by present cultivars and would be the components for varietal diversification under KLS. Positive significant associations were noticed between plant height and number of leaves per plant, and intermodal length. The study revealed direct positive effect of plant height on cured leaf and negative indirect effect of number of leaves, intermodal length and leaf area suggesting that these characters should be judiciously selected for achieving higher yield.

Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on ginger productivity

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc) is cultivated in different agro-climatic zones of Karnataka. Correction of deficiency of nutrients through foliar application of micronutrients is imperative to maintain the growth and development of the crop. Hence, large scale demonstrations were conducted and the impact analysis of crop specific ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode-micronutrient formulation (released as “Ginger Special”) on productivity and profitability of ginger in Southern Transitional Zone of Karnataka was carried out during 2016- 19 by involving 429 farmers in an area of 133.20 ha. Foliar application of ginger special (5 gl-1), 45 days after planting up to six months at an interval of 45 days showed significant increase in fresh yield (23.94 t ha-1), higher returns ha-1 (Rs.9,80,300) and higher BCR (2.89). The test farmers who used ginger special obtained a mean additional fresh yield (2.44 t ha-1), additional return (Rs. 99,500 ha-1) besides providing additional employment to the farm workers (12 ha-1). Use of ginger special, created a good impact on productivity and profitability of ginger cultivation and the technology has spread in an area of 500 ha in Shivamogga district of Karnataka.

Trend and change point detection of seasonal rainfall for effective crop planning over southern transition zone of Karnataka, India

The significance of the trends was tested by Mann-Kendall test for annual and seasonal rainfall. Among the 14 taluks, only Hassan taluk shows a significant positive trend in annual rainfall while eight taluks have shown non-significant positive trend and remaining five taluks have shown non-significant negative trend. The annual rainfall for the entire zone have shown non-significant positive trend. For the SWM season, Alur taluk shows a significant negative trend and eight taluks have shown non-significant positive trend. However, five taluks and whole zone showed a non-significant negative trend. Southwest monsoon and annual rainfall in Bhadravathi taluk was increased in 2007 (571.9 mm to 785.1 mm and 857.6 mm to 1090.9 mm, respectively) and in Shivamogga, the change in annual rainfall was decreased during 1983 (1497.5 mm to 944.0 mm) and 2011 (944.0 mm to 796.6 mm). The northeast monsoon rainfall was increased during 1992 (134.3 mm to 441.1 mm) and it was decreased during 1994 (441.1 mm to 162.0 mm) in Shikaripura taluk. Similarly, in Hunsur taluk, the SW Monsoon rainfall has increased (701.8 mm to 1010.2 mm) during 1991 and it was decreased during 2001 (1010.2 mm to 723.3 mm), in Periyapatna and Honnali taluk, Northeast monsoon rainfall has decreased during 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Soil fertility status of coconut and arecanut growing soils

The present study was undertaken to assess the soil fertility status of major coconut and arecanut growing soils in different agro-climatic conditions of Karnataka. Based on the agro-climate variability, thirty typical soil pedons representing five different agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of Karnataka, namely, eastern dry zone (EDZ), southern dry zone (SDZ), southern transitional zone (STZ), hilly zone (HZ), and coastal zone (CZ) were studied for their physicochemical properties. The study revealed that soils of semi-arid (EDZ and SDZ) and sub-humid (STZ) zones have near neutral to moderately alkaline reaction and humid region soils (coastal and hilly zones) have high acidity. The soils are non-saline with low cation exchange capacity. Greater soil organic carbon was recorded in arecanut soils than coconut under all ACZs except coastal zone. The major nutrients status of the soil samples indicated that the available nitrogen is low in all the pedons; the pooled data of available nitrogen content was higher in arecanut (166.3 kg ha-1) than coconut (152.6 kg ha-1), and hilly zone soils recorded higher available nitrogen. A wide range of available P2O5 was noticed in coconut and arecanut soils, ranging from 1.0 to 64.2 kg ha-1. The coconut soils (11.5 kg ha-1) recorded higher available P2O5 than arecanut soils (9.62 kg ha-1) when data were pooled. The soils were low to medium in available potassium, and a higher available K2O content was recorded in arecanut soils (151.7 kg ha-1) compared to coconut (110.1 kg ha-1). The available K2O ranged from 66.8 to 511.7 kg ha-1 in the surface and 37.6 to 461.2 kg ha-1 in sub-surface soils.

Performance of Cowpea and Horse Gram as Intercrops with Bt Cotton on Red Soils of Southern Transition Zone of Karnataka Plateau, India

Background: Horizontal expansion of area under pulses at country level has very little possibilities. This necessitates exploring alternate ways to increase the area and production of pulses. Bt cotton is the major cash crop grown in large area in Southern transition zone of Karnataka on red soils. Bt cotton hybrids are sown at wide row spacing hence provide sufficient space for cultivation of short duration pulses like cowpea and horse gram.Methods: On-farm trials were carried out in medium deep red soils of Basavanagiri village of Mysore district, Karnataka during 2014-15 and 2015-16. There were six treatments consists of Bt cotton with farmers practice (T1), Bt cotton with best management practice (T2), sole cowpea (T3), sole horse gram (T4), Bt cotton intercropped with cowpea (T5) and Bt cotton inter cropped with horse gram (T6). On-farm trials were laid out by using RCBD design in five farmer fields, which served as replications.Result: On-farm investigation indicated that there was no much difference between cotton yield sole crop with BMP and inter cropped cotton yield. However, cotton yield was significantly lower in farmers practice over BMP. Intercropping of cowpea and horse gram with Bt cotton resulted in higher cotton equivalent yield, LER and production efficiency over the sole cotton cropping system. This was due to the wider spacing of the cotton and better resource use efficiency in intercropping system.

Effect of different dates of sowing, varieties and their interactions on grain yield and yield components (Vigna radiate L.) in rainfed situation under southern transitional Zone of Karnataka

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Field unit, College of Agriculture, Shivamogga during kharif 2015-2016 and 2016-17 on sandy loamy soils to evaluate performance of promising Greengram varieties (Vigna radiate (L.) Wilczek) as influenced by different dates of sowing under rain fed situation in Southern Transitional Zone of Karnataka. Among three different varieties KKM-3 gave significantly higher grain yield (806.41 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (3206.14 kg ha-1) than PDM 84-178 (675.71 kg ha-1 and 2698.55 kg ha-1, respectively) and SBM-1 (610.81 kg ha-1 and 2462.74 kg ha-1, respectively) (Table 1). Variety KKM-3 showed per cent increase in grain and straw yield over variety PDM 84-178 (16.20% and 15.83%, respectively) and SBM-1 (24.25% and 23.18%, respectively). Among different dates of sowing 15th July recorded significantly higher grain and straw yield (1252.86 kg ha-1 and 4912.04 kg ha-1, respectively) followed by sowing KKM-3 on 30th of July (878.82 kg ha-1 and 3344.05 kg ha-1, respectively) and it was found on par with PDM 84-178 sown on 15th of July (869.92 kg ha-1and 3405.49 kg ha-1, respectively) compared to variety SBM-1 on 15th July (774.98 kg ha-1 and 3033.19 kg ha-1, respectively) Among the interactions significant difference was noticed between date of sowing and variety with respect to yield components, sowing of variety KKM-3 sown on July 15th recorded significantly higher number of clusters plant-1, numbers of pods plant, numbers of seeds per pod (13.59, 53.03 and 11.10, respectively) compared to late sowing variety PDM 84-178 during August 30th (6.96, 31.31 and 8.56, respectively) and late sowing variety SBM-1 on August 30th (4.75, 17.57 and 8.03, respectively).