Yield Of Blackgram Research Articles

Effect of waterlogging on physiological traits and yield in black gram (Vigna mungo L.) in field condition

Waterlogging is an important abiotic factor affecting crop productivity worldwide. Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) is very sensitive to waterlogged conditions. A field experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design to evaluate three black gram genotypes for waterlogging tolerance. Stress was imposed by maintaining the water level above the soil surface for 10 days after 30 days of sowing. Different physiological parameters including chlorophyll (Chl), chlorophyll fluorescence, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), sugars, along with the yield per plant and thousand grain weight (TW) were recorded in control and stressed plants. Results showed that NDVI, Chl, chlorophyll fluorescence, sugars, seed yield and TW reduced significantly during stress. Stress susceptibility index (SSI) for grain yield varied from 0.32 to 2.38. Linear correlation study showed that SSI was negatively correlated with NDVI (0.43),Chl (0.68) and TW (0.42) and grain yield (0.96). NDVI and sugars were correlated to TW under stress. IC530491 and IC559933 (SSI < 0.5) were waterlogging tolerant under field conditions. The study concluded that identified black gram lines may be utilized as trait donors in breeding program.

Herbicidal combinations for managing weeds and improving crop productivity in summer blackgram

An experiment was conducted at the Students Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, India during summer season of 2018 to find out the most effective pre- and post-emergent herbicide combination for effective management of weeds in blackgram. Experiments consisted of ten treatments. The lowest weed density and biomass, weed index and highest weed control efficiency and blackgram yield as well as B:C ratio was observed with pre-emergence application (PE) of pendimethalin 1000 g/ha followed by post-emergence application (PoE) of imazethapyr 50 g/ha which was effective and economical in managing weeds in blackgram.

Evaluation of weed management efficacy of post-emergence herbicides in blackgram under semi-arid Alfisols

The efficacy of a post-emergence herbicides in managing weeds in blackgram was evaluated during summer and rainy (Kharif) seasons of 2016 at University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), GKVK, Bangalore, India. The experiments were laid in RCBD with three replications comprising of nine treatments. Major weed species observed were: Cyperus rotundus, Eleuisine indica, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Borreria articularis, Echinochloa colona, Commelina benghalensis, Euphorbia geniculata, Phyllanthus niruri. The post-emergence application (PoE) of sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop-propargyl 8% EC (206.25 + 100 g/ha) has attained significantly higher seed and haulm yield of blackgram (1305 and 2088 kg/ha, respectively) in summer 2016 and (1519 and 2253 kg/ha, respectively) in Kharif 2016, followed by sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop-propargyl 8% EC (165 + 80 and 123.75 + 60 g/ha) (1192 and 1808 kg/ha, respectively) in summer 2016 and (1425 and 2095 kg/ha, respectively) in Kharif 2016. Similarly the weed control efficiency in summer and kharif 2016 was higher with sodium acifluorfen + clodinafop-propargyl (330 + 160 g/ha) PoE (93.20 and 91.0%, respectively) and it was followed by sodium acifluorfen + clodinafop-propargyl (206.25 + 100 g/ha) PoE (89.51 and 90.24%, respectively) when compared to weedy check. The increased yield was mainly due to a significant reduction in weed density and biomass, without any phytotoxicity to succeeding finger millet crop under semi-arid Alfisols.

Influence of Sowing Methods and Sowing Time on Growth, Growth Attributes and Yield of Black Gram Vigna mungo L. under Rice Oryza sativa L. Fallow Black Gram Cropping System

Aim: Blackgram is one of the most important pulse crops raised in several types of soil under well drained conditions. Currently, it is cultivated as monocrop , intercrop as well as rice fallow crop in southern India. When the rice fallow pulse systems are described as, the pulse crop is seeded before or after rice harvest without ploughing, the remaining soil moisture may be better used through conservation agriculture measures. It's also known as a relay crop, a no-till crop, or a residual crop.In general, the production and productivity of black gram is declining because of poor management practices . Thus, this study was undertaken rice establishment methods as a strategy to determine the availability of residual moisture on the establishment of rice fallow black gram system during the early growth stages.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: A field investigation was carried out at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University9o54’ N Latitude, 78o54’ E Longitude with an altitude of 147 m above MSL), Tamil Nadu, India from September 2019 to April 2020&#x0D; Methodology: To see how different seeding methods and time influence the rice fallow black gram, the factors include rice planting methods as the main plot, methods of sowing black gram on rice fallow black gram as sub plot, and time of sowing black gram on rice fallow black gram given out in sub-sub plot treatment.&#x0D; Results: The treatments had the best growth qualities, growth analysis, and yield. It could be because the above-mentioned combinations had higher residual moisture content, which resulted in a higher germination percentage, better crop stand, and higher growth and yield of rice fallow black gram.&#x0D; Conclusion: The best management strategy is to sowing black gram in rice fallow situations with a rice fallow pulse planter at 10 days before rice harvest, under the direct seeded of rice establishment technique with drum seeder.

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

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

Genetic analysis in pre-breeding lines derived from inter sub-specific cross of blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper)

One hundred and eighty nine stabilised lines obtained from the cross VBN (Bg) 5 and Vigna mungo var silvestris 22/10 were evaluated during Rabi, 2019. Analysis of variance for various traits exhibited significant differences among the lines for all the nine quantitative traits. The GCV was lower compared to the values of PCV which revealed the influence of the environment in deciding the expression of these lines. Moderate GCV was recorded for single plant yield (16.22 %), the number of pods per plant (12.60%), plant height (12.48 %), the number of primary branches per plant (11.75 %) and hundred seed weight (11.34%). High heritability was observed for the characters like hundred seed weight (96.99 %), plant height (78.33 %), days to 50 per cent flowering (72.98 %), single plant yield (72.44 %) and pod length (65.70 %). High heritability along with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for hundred seed weight (96.99, 23.00), plant height (78.33, 22.76) and single plant yield (72.44, 28.44) indicates the possibility of improving these traits by selection since there is a wide range of variation and additive gene action exists for these traits. The maximum number of lines with a positive value over the mean was observed for pod length and 100 seed weight. Correlation analysis showed that the number of pods per plant, plant height, the number of seeds per pod, the number of primary branches per plant, the number of pods per cluster, pod length and hundred seed weight had positive significant association with single plant yield. A number of pods per plant and pod length had a high positive direct effect on single plant yield. Hence, the selection for these characters would improve seed yield in blackgram. Key words: Blackgram, pre-breeding lines, genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation

Production and Trade Performance of Blackgram (Vigna mungo) and Greengram (Vigna radiata) in India and Myanmar

Black gram and green gram are important legume crops in India and Myanmar. The largest producer of black gram and green gram is India but it does not meet domestic consumption. The study was conducted with time series data from the year 1970 to 2019 in order to work out the growth patterns in area, production, productivity, export and import of black gram and green gram. CAGR and instability was calculated in order to better understand fluctuations of black gram and green gram year by year. Area and production increased in both countries from the year 1970-71 to 2018-19. However, the yield of black gram and green gram was stagnant in India which was over 500 kg/ha in 2018-19 whereas the yield in Myanmar was more than 1000 kg/ha during the same period. The yield gap between India and Myanmar was about 800 kg/ha. With a growing population and often unfavorable seasonal conditions, the country's production regularly fell short of consumption needs requiring it to import large quantities of pulses. Cropping patterns like rice-pulses, intercropping with other crops and HYV can improve productivity and expand pulse areas in India. India is the largest importer of black gram and has greater bargaining power to dominate the black gram market in Myanmar. Trade agreement is needed to overcome the risks of price fluctuation between the two countries.

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

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

Correlation and path analysis for yield and yield contributing traits in black gram [Vigna mungo (L) Hopper.

Tweenty one Black Gram (Vigna mungo (L) Hopper) genotypes were evacuated for the estimation of genetic variability parameters, correlation coefficient, path analysis, heritability and genetic advance. The genotypes differed significantly for all the characters. Higher GCV and PCV was observed for the seed index. High heritability coupled with genetic advance as percent of mean shown by harvest index indicating the impact of additve and significant correlation along with positive direct effect on grain yield. Therefore selection based on this component traits would results improvement in grain yield of Black Gram.

SPECTROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION OF SOIL TREATED WITH AND WITHOUT ORGANIC MANURES

FTIR analytical study has been carried out to investigate the mineralogical composition of the soil. A field experiment was carried out at Servaikaranmadam of Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu during Kharif season in 2018 on sandy clay loam soil to access the effect of organic manures in the soil and to determine the chemical compositions of soil samples. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The experiment comprised of thirteen treatment combinations. The results of the present study revealed that soils have various mineral compositions namely Quartz, Kaolinite, Montmorillonite, Feldspar and Illite etc. The application of organic manures like Goat manure (G), Vermicompost (V) and Swine manure (S) in triple manure concentration at 17 t ha-1 reveals the presence of Organic Carbon along with the minerals, before and after harvest. This ensures a better yield of black gram (Vigna Mungo L.).

​Effect of Land Configuration and Nutrient Management Methods on Growth and Yield of Blackgram (Vigna mungo)

Background: Pulse require less water than other crops. It plays a significant role in combating soil erosion and degradation. Pulses are the main sources of dietary protein in the vegetarian diet in our country. They preserve soil fertility by biological nitrogen fixation in the soil, as well as being a rich source of protein and thus play a vital role in sustainable agriculture. In Tamil Nadu, the Cauvery Delta Zone (CDZ) has a total land area of 1.45 million ha which is equivalent to 11% of the state area and this zone is the potential zone for pulse cultivation. The cultivation of blackgram faces many problems like water logging and inadequate aeration, which affect the growth and yield in flatbed conditionsadversely. Further the major causes of poor productivity and soil fertility are imbalanced application of nutrients. Hence there is a need to evaluate the appropriate land configuration and nutrient management methods. Methods: The field experiment was performed at Soil and Water Management Research Institute, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, during the summer seasons of 2018 and 2019 in split plot design with four replications. In main plot three land configuration methods viz., broadcasting seeds and forming ridges (30 cm width), broad bed (100 cm width), flatbed and in sub plot three nutrient management methods viz., control (S1), recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (S2), RDF+biofertilizers (S3) in a plot size of 40 m2. In all the land configuration methods 30 cm row spacing is adopted. Line sowing is followed in broad bed (M2) and flat bed method (M3). In broadcasting seeds and forming ridges (M1) the seeds will be broadcasted after land preparation and ridges (30 cm) will be formed with ridge former. Uniform seed rate is adopted in all the methods. Result: Sowing of blackgram in broad beds along with 100% RDF + biofertilizers was found to be superior over flat bed and broadcasting seeds and forming ridges by producing higher grain yield and B:C ratio and achieved the higher productivity and profitability.

​Vermiwash Prepared from Different Combination of Organic Sources to Improve Growth and Yield of Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] for Organic Agriculture

Background: Black gram (Vigna mungo) is one of the most important pulse crops grown throughout the country. It is hardy crop and fixes nitrogen in soil. Organic black gram fetch higher price in market i.e., Rs. 175 whereas other receive Rs. 120. Vermiwash, is one among the organic manures which has high potential to increase the crop growth and yield. Thus, present study aims to evaluate the influence of vermiwash prepared from different combination of organic sources on growth and yield of black gram. Methods: The field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2018 at Organic Farming Unit, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, with nine treatments [T1= vermiwash from 100% cow dung, T2= vermiwash from 100% buffalo dung, T3= vermiwash from 50% cow dung + 25% dry farm waste + 25% green farm waste, T4= vermiwash from 50% buffalo dung + 25% dry farm waste + 25% green farm waste, T5= vermiwash from 90% green waste incubated with 10% cow dung, T6= vermiwash from 90% green waste incubated with 10% buffalo dung, T7= vermiwash from 90% dry waste incubated with 10% cow dung, T8= vermiwash from 90% dry waste incubated with 10% buffalo dung and T9= water spray (control)] and were replicated thrice in Randomize Block Design. Result: The result of experiment revealed that the application of vermiwash from 100% cow dung significant influence towards growth parameters and yield attributes thus achieved maximum seed yield, haulm yield and B:C ratio (2.3). On the basis of field performance, it may be concluded that the treatment T1(top dressing in two equal split application at the rate of 10% at initiation of flowering and 15 days after 1st spray) may be recommended as a better organic package of blackgram.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield Attributes and Yield of Black Gram Cv. Pu-31

Background: The main pulses grown in India are chickpea, arhar, lentil, black gram, mung bean, moth bean, horse gram, pea, khesari, cowpea, etc. Black gram is fourth major pulse crop in India, that contributes 13 and 10 per cent of total area and production respectively. This is annual plant that attains 30-100 cm height and its stem is covered with brown hairs and much branched from the base. The pods are long and cylindrical being 5-6 cm length and 4-10 seed in pods. The seeds are generally black, very dark brown. Methods: The field experiment was conducted in kharif-2019 at research farm of Tirhut College of Agriculture Dholi, to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield parameters and the yield of black gram cv-PU-31, by the use different sources of nutrient in a integrated manner such as three level of fertilizer i.e. F1-75, F2-100 and F3-125% RDF and two levels of organic manure i.e. M1-control and M2-FYM @ 5 t ha-1 and three levels of biofertilizer i.e., B1-rhizobium, B2-nutrient mobilizer, B3-rhizobium+ nutrient mobilizer. The treatments were allocated in randomized block design (factorial) and replicated thrice. Result: The results revealed that F3 produced taller plants, more dry matter, crop growth rate (CGR) yield attributes resulting higher yield of grain and straw (10.78, 22.61 q ha-1 respectively) which was statistically at par with plant height, dry matter, crop growth rate, yield attributes and yield of grain, straw and highest harvest index (10.73, 22.20 q ha-1 and 32.58% respectively) to F2. Among addition of organic manure significantly maximum plant height, dry matter and crop growth rate and yield attributes resulting maximum yield of grain, straw and harvest index (11.2, 22.79 q ha-1 and 33.31% respectively) was found in M2 over M1. In biofertilizer treatments, B3 recorded higher plant height, dry matter and crop growth rate, yield attributes resulting in significantly higher yield of grain, straw and harvest index (10.26, 21.90 q ha-1 and 31.92% respectively) over B1 and B2.

Effect of weed management practices on weed dynamics and yield in black gram (Phaseolus mungo)

A field investigation was carried out during Kharif season in 2010 at Agronomy Department Farm, Dr.Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, to evaluate the effect of four herbicides (imazethapyr, pendimethalin, fenoxyprop-p-ethyl and quizalofop -p-ethyl) applied at different rates with different time of application (pre-emergence, post emergence and combination of both) and cultural practices i.e. hand weeding and hoeing on weed flora, growth and yield of black gram (Phaseolus mungo L.) .The experiment was laid out in randomized block design replicated three times with thirteen treatments in that chemical and cultural treatments were compared with weedy check and weed free control plots. The important predominant narrow leaved and broad leaved weeds observed were Cyperus rotundus, cyanodon dactylon, Poa annua, Echinochlora crusgalli, Denebra arabica, commelina benghalensis and Digera arvensis , Acalypha indica, Euphorbia geniculata, Phyllanthus niruri, Euphorbia hirta and Alysicarpus rugosus respectively. The results revealed that the application of Pendimethalin @ 1.5 kg a.i./ha as pre - emergence application recorded lowest weed dry weight (2.01), Higher Weed control efficiency (87.42), Lowest weed index (20.46) and significantly higher yield (10.02q/ha), followed by Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha as pre-emergence application and twice hand weeding on 15 and 30 days after sowing (DAS).

Impact of integrated weed management practices soil microbial count and grain yield in black gram (Phaseolus mungo L.)

A field investigation was carried out during Kharif season in 2010 at Agronomy Department Farm, Dr.Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, to evaluate the effect of four herbicides (imazethapyr, pendimethalin, fenoxyprop-p-ethyl and quizalofop -p-ethyl ) applied at different rates with different time of application (pre-emergence,post emergence and combination of both) and cultural practices on soil microflora and yield of black gram (Phaseolus mungo). Data revealed that different chemicals and cultural weed control practices were exhibited their superiority over weedy check and reduced the crop weed competition by controlling the annual and broad leaved weeds. Among all the weed control treatments, pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1.5 kg/ha showed higher yield per ha (10.05) and in case of in microbial study, bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes count before spraying of herbicide was non-significant but microbial count was reduced after spraying of herbicides as compared to before spraying of herbicides,as a result(before and after spraying of herbicide) pre-emergence application of imazethapyr at 75 g ha-1[(25.11, 17.10 ) ,( 19.50, 10.84) and (22.30,16.10)] showed the lower microbial count. In case of weedy check(26.90, 20.60 and 23.98) showed maximum microbial count followed by weed free (26.50, 20.30 and 22.60 ), among all the weed control practices.

Assessing efficiency of seed hardening treatments in blackgram

Seed is a biological entity and its quality is improved through seed hardening. Seed hardening is a simple method to alter the physiological and biochemical nature of the seeds. Any successful technology could be performed well in farmer field and their feedback will be helpful for fine tuning of the technology. On farm trial was conducted in farmers field with two seed hardening treatments viz., (i) Seed hardening with Zinc sulphate @ 0.1g/lit for 3 hr and (ii) Seed hardening with Sodium molybdate @ 0.5g/lit for 3 hr along with untreated seeds as a control during Rabi, 2017-18. The results revealed that seed hardening with Sodium molybdate @ 0.5g/lit performed better interms of yield (678 kg/ha), net return (Rs.23,125/ ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.81) compared to seed hardening with Zinc sulphate @ 0.1g/lit and control and which was 669 kg/ha, Rs.21913/ha, 1.77 and 514 kg/ha, Rs.12159 /ha, 1.45, respectively. However, the minimum yield difference was observed between the seed hardening treatments but both seed hardening treatment were excelled over the control. Hence, seed hardening with Sodium molybdate @ 0.5g/lit or Zinc sulphate @ 0.1g/lit for 3 hr found effective in increasing the yield in blackgram. The knowledge level of farmers on seed hardening treatments increased from 13 to 70 per cent which was made through on farm testing programme.

Estimation of genetic variability in blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper

An investigation was carried out during kharif, 2018 in Randomized Block Design to estimate the variability parameters in blackgram using thirty five genotypes including two checks viz., Pratap Urd-1 and Pant Urd-31. The results of ANOVA showed that the genotypes varied significantly for all the traits. The high GCV and PCV estimates were recorded for seed yield per plant, plant height, harvest index and 100-seed weight. High magnitude of heritability combined with the high genetic gain was found fortraits viz., plant height, the number of pods per cluster and 100-seed weight. Therefore, direct selection for the traits like, plant height, harvest index, 100-seed weight and the number of pods per cluster would be useful for increasing seed yield in blackgram. Key wordsBlackgram, Genetic Advance, Heritability, Variability. &nbsp;

Principal Component Analysis for Yield in Blackgram(Vignamungo L. Hepper) under Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer Managements

The present investigation on thirty black gram diverse genotypes for 12 yield and yield attributing traits under organic and inorganic fertilizer managements was carried out to study genetic variation among traits and genotypes in the respective environments that would equip the selection criteria using principal Component Analysis. First four vectors with threshold Eigen value greater than one (&gt;1) contributed to 77.56% and 70.74% variation under organic and inorganic fertilizer managements respectively. Characters viz., number of clusters per plant (0.395), number of seeds per pod (0.354), days to maturity (0.336), number of pods per plant (0.300), harvest index (0.244), plant height (0.073) and seed yield per plant (0.015), whereas under inorganic fertilizer management number of primary branches per plant (0.43), followed by number of pods per plant (0.43), seed yield per plant (0.31), number of pods per cluster (0.29), number of clusters per plant (0.29) explained the maximum variance in first principal component (PC1) under organic conditions. Based on comparison of trait contribution to total variability under PC1 under both the managements it can be concluded that the traits viz., number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant and seed yield per plant were the potential traits that accounted for maximum share towards variability. These traits may be taken into consideration as selection criteria in breeding programmes aimed at developing high yielding varieties.

Micro-nutrients Seed Priming and rhizobium Coating on Seed Vigour, Crop Growth and Seed Yield in Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)

Background: Black gram is the important pulses crop, grown throughout the country; gives low seed yield mainly due to poor management and low soil fertility. Development of suitable technology is essential to enhance productivity. Seed priming is one such effective technology which enhance rapid and uniform emergence to achieve high vigour, leading to better stand establishment and yield. The current research aimed to study micronutrient seed priming and rhizobium coating on seed germination, seedling vigour, crop growth and seed yield in black gram.Methods: Blackgram seeds were primed with 10 different micronutrient solutions with different concentrations and evaluated for its quality parameters to find out suitable seed priming technique. Seeds from two best priming treatments were coated with rhizobium @ 30g/kg of seed and evaluated for its production potential and resultant seed quality under field condition.Result: Seed priming with 0.5% ZnSO4 at 1/3rd seed to solution ratio for 3 hours recorded higher germination (96%) and vigour index (3811) than control which recorded 84% seed germination and 2528 of vigour index under laboratory experiment. Field experiments revealed that, seeds primed with 0.5% ZnSO4 and coated with rhizobium @ 30g per kg of seeds improved seed yield by 13.2% over control.

Synthesizing Nanoencapsulated Sulfentrazone Herbicide and Optimizing Time and Dose for Season Long Weed Management in Irrigated Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)

Background: Pulses are nutritious edible seeds of leguminous plants, have become an essential part of the human diet. Among the pulses, blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) is an important legume crop cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Even though there are so many factors responsible for the lower yield of blackgram, weeds play a major role. Sulfentrazone is a broad spectrum herbicide belongs to the family of phenyl triazolinone. Sulfentrazone has high persistence and mobility with mean partition coefficient Koc = 43 and sorption coefficient Kd less than 1 and also has high horizontal and vertical leaching potential. Even though generally used herbicides in blackgram like pendimethalin, imazethapyr and quizalofop-ethyl are helpful in managing weeds, they have to apply multiple times or have to integrate with other methods of weed management which is expensive. So as to reduce the usage of multiple herbicides, to avoid manual weeding and to achieve season long weed control without affecting the environment the nano-encapsulated sulfentrazone is the better alternative and it gives better solution for the above constraints besides increasing the productivity.Methods: Laboratory and field experiments were conducted in the Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2019-2020. Laboratory experiment was conducted to prepare nano-encapsulated sulfentrazone herbicide using solvent evaporation method. Screening trial was conducted in field with 17 treatments in randomized block design. Main trial was conducted with nine treatments of randomized block design by selecting the best performing treatments in screening trial. A confirmatory trial was also conducted by using same treatments.Result: The encapsulated sulfentrazone particles were characterized in SEM (Scanning electron microscope) and also analysed with EDAX (Energy dispersive X-ray analysis) for elemental analysis, which is followed by particle size analysis and zeta potential to know the size and stability respectively. All these tests concluded that the sulfentrazone particles were encapsulated correctly and might be useful for slow release of the particle and also for reducing vertical and horizontal leachability. The field trials revealed that sulfentrazone @ 0.30 kg a.i. ha-1 with encapsulation applied at 1 DBS is better alternative for the season long weed management in blackgram without affecting the soil and ground water, as well as increasing the productivity.