Green Pod Yield Research Articles

Unleashing the synergistic effect of promising fungicides: a breakthrough solution for combating powdery mildew in pea plants

Pea powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe pisi, is a major limitation to global pea production. The emergence of fungicide-resistant pathogen populations due to frequent and injudicious pesticide application highlights the importance of exploring the synergistic properties of fungicide combinations. This study investigated the efficacy of difenoconazole, thiophanate-methyl, and sulfur, both individually and in mixtures, against powdery mildew and assessed the interaction types between these fungicides. The results demonstrated that the combination of difenoconazole, thiophanate-methyl, and sulfur was the most effective in reducing, reducing disease severity to 6.10% and minimizing conidial production on foliage. Additionally, this fungicide combination reduced conidial germination by 89.26% in vitro and by 87.50% in a detached leaf assay compared to the control. The treatment also positively impacted leaf chlorophyll content (55.18), green pod yield (22.21 tons ha−1), seed yield (12.29 tons ha−1), and other yield-related parameters. Although statistically significant, this ternary fungicide combination was closely followed by the binary combination of thiophanate-methyl and sulfur, which was the only combination exhibiting synergism in both laboratory and field trials with a synergy factor (SF) > 1. In conclusion, this approach offers improved disease control as part of integrated disease management (IDM) while minimizing the risk of resistant pathogen strains.

Variability and Correlation Studies in Dolichos bean (Dolichos lablab L.)

Background: Dolichos bean (Dolichos lablab L.), 2n = 22 is an important leguminous vegetable crop which provides protein, minerals and vitamins. The exploitation of variability is of great importance and is a prerequisite for the effective screening of superior genotypes. Keeping this in view, the present investigation was carried out to assess the variability and correlation for yield and other components which are useful to select the promising genotypes. Methods: The study on variability and correlation in Dolichos Bean genotypes for yield and quality was conducted at the College Orchard, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Twenty lablab genotypes, sourced from various locations, were planted in a randomized block design with three replications during the kharif and rabi seasons of 2021 and 2022. Observations on growth, yield and quality traits were recorded and analysed for variance, variability and correlations. Result: In the kharif season, Ankur Gold yielded the highest green pods per plant (487.50 g), while Acc.7 yielded the lowest (89.59 g). In the pooled analysis, Ankur Gold (469.80 g) had the highest and Acc.6 (87.49 g) had the lowest green pod yield per plant. The study suggests using a selection index based on the number of racemes per plant, raceme length, number of pods per plant, green pod yield per plant and pod length to identify high yielding lablab genotypes.

Evaluation of Hot Pepper Varieties through Farmer’s Participatory Selection at Teppi area, Southwestern Ethiopia

Three hot pepper varieties were evaluated in single plot in 2022/23 main cropping season. Farmers’ evaluation was made at two different stages of the crop, namely at vegetative and at maturity using both direct-matrix and pair-wise ranking methods of selection scheme. Farmers’ set; green pod yield, disease tolerance, pod color and size as selection criteria to evaluate and identify their preferred varieties. The results of analysis of variance indicated the existence of highly significant differences among varieties for all traits measured at 5% probability level. The highest mean green pod yield was obtained from the variety Melka Awaze (11.39 t/ha) and Melka Zala (8.39 t/ha). Likewise, these two varieties were identified as farmers preferred varieties from both pair-wise and direct matrix ranking evaluations. Thus, the varieties Melka Awaze and Melka Zala were chosen for their performance in the field and from farmers' evaluation perspective. Moreover, this study indicated participatory varietal selection is a viable method to gain greater insight into farmers’ perceptions, preferences, merits and shortcomings of hot pepper varieties. Therefore, based on the results of this study, Melka Awaze and Melka Zala varieties are recommended for multiplication and distribution to farmers in the area.

Response of Two Cowpea Cultivars to Spraying with Moringa Leaf Extract and Jasmonic Acid in Growth Yield Components

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Station of the College of Agriculture, University of Kufa/Najaf, for the spring season of 2023, to determine the growth and yield response of two cowpea varieties to spraying with Moringa leaf extract and jasmonic acid (JA). The experiment included three factors, the first factor was two varieties of cowpea: American Ramshon and Dutch variety, the second factor was foliar spray with Moringa leaf extract at three concentrations of 0.2 and 4 g L-1, and the third factor was foliar spray with three concentrations of JA at 0, 10 and 20 mg L-1. The spraying was applied three times during the growing season, with an interval period of 14 days. The experiment was split-split-plots based on Randomized Complete Blocks Design (R.C.B.D) and three replicates. The results showed that the Dutch variety was significantly superior in the vegitative growth indicators, while the American cowpea Ramshon had the highest response in quantitative and chemical indicators, especially the total plant yield of green pods recording 7.470 tons ha-1 compared to 5.886 tons ha-1 for the Dutch variety. Spraying with Moringa leaf extract at a concentration of 4 g L-1 recorded significantly higher indicators in the shoot dry weight 65.59 g plant-1, number of pods 25.61 pods plant-1, and leaf and pods content of carbohydrates and protein 2.65 and 12.95%. On the other hand, foliar spray with JA at 20 mg L-1 recorded a significant increase in plant length 45.88 cm. Most of the studied indicators in the experiment recorded higher rates in the interaction treatment of the Dutch variety and spraying 4 g L-1 Moringa leaf extract and 10 mg L-1 of JA compared to all individual and interaction treatments.

Response of Two Cowpea Cultivars to Spraying with Moringa Leaf Extract and Jasmonic Acid in Growth Yield Components

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Station of the College of Agriculture, University of Kufa/Najaf, for the spring season of 2023, to determine the growth and yield response of two cowpea varieties to spraying with Moringa leaf extract and jasmonic acid (JA). The experiment included three factors, the first factor was two varieties of cowpea: American Ramshon and Dutch variety, the second factor was foliar spray with Moringa leaf extract at three concentrations of 0.2 and 4 g L-1, and the third factor was foliar spray with three concentrations of JA at 0, 10 and 20 mg L-1. The spraying was applied three times during the growing season, with an interval period of 14 days. The experiment was split-split-plots based on Randomized Complete Blocks Design (R.C.B.D) and three replicates. The results showed that the Dutch variety was significantly superior in the vegitative growth indicators, while the American cowpea Ramshon had the highest response in quantitative and chemical indicators, especially the total plant yield of green pods recording 7.470 tons ha-1 compared to 5.886 tons ha-1 for the Dutch variety. Spraying with Moringa leaf extract at a concentration of 4 g L-1 recorded significantly higher indicators in the shoot dry weight 65.59 g plant-1, number of pods 25.61 pods plant-1, and leaf and pods content of carbohydrates and protein 2.65 and 12.95%. On the other hand, foliar spray with JA at 20 mg L-1 recorded a significant increase in plant length 45.88 cm. Most of the studied indicators in the experiment recorded higher rates in the interaction treatment of the Dutch variety and spraying 4 g L-1 Moringa leaf extract and 10 mg L-1 of JA compared to all individual and interaction treatments.

Interactive Effects of Boron and Molybdenum on Nodulation, Growth and Yield of Cowpea under South Gujarat Condition

Background: Cowpea seeds are nutritious component of human diet and being a legume crop, it also improves the soil fertility by increasing the amount of nitrogen in the soil through symbiotic nitrogen fixation. To study the effect of boron and molybdenum on nodulation, growth and yield of cowpea the field experiment was conducted at the Regional Horticultural Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India, during summer season of 2019 and 2021. Methods: The experiment was carried out in a factorial randomized block design with 3 replications. Factor-1 consisted of four levels of seed treatments with molybdenum at 2 mg/l (M1), 4 mg/l (M2), 6 mg/l (M3) for 24 hours prior to sowing including control (M0), where as the second factor was consisted of four levels of boron (B) spray at 2 mg/l (B1), 4 mg/l (B2), 6 mg/l (B3) and control at 30 DAS, 45 DAS and 60 DAS with control. Boron was applied in the form of Boric acid and Molybdenum as ammonium molybdate. Result: The treatment combination of seed treatment of molybdenum @ 2 mg/ l with foliar spray of boron @ 4 mg/ l at 30, 45 and 60 DAS (M1B2) has significantly influenced yield parameters and registered maximum number of clusters per plant (6.50), green pod yield per plant (0.153 kg), green pod yield per net plot (3.98 kg), green pod yield per hectare (12.27 tonne). Seed treatment with different levels of molybdenum has significantly influenced nodulation in cowpea and recorded maximum number of nodules per plant (31.69 at final harvest) and fresh nodule weight (0.230 g/plant) in seed treatment of molybdenum @ 2 mg/ l (M2) among all the treatments at final harvest during all the years of study, including pooled analysis.

Studies on Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) for Green Pod Yield and its Component

Studies on Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) for Green Pod Yield and its Component

Field evaluation of biostimulants on growth, flowering, yield, and quality of snap beans in subtropical environment

The cultivation of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in subtropical regions faces environmental challenges leading to potential declines in yield. This study explores the efficacy of biostimulants as a solution, specifically investigating spraying treatments with 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), chitosan (Ch), triacontanol (TRIA), and potassium silicate (KSi) on the snap bean cv. Paulista. Over two growing seasons with late sowing and elevated summer temperatures, the research assesses growth, flowering, yield, and quality. Notably, 5 ppm TRIA demonstrates the most significant impact on plant growth and leaf nutrient content. Treatments with 40 ppm 6-BA, 5 ppm TRIA, or 200 ppm KSi exhibit notable effects on inflorescence flower count and flowers per plant. These treatments prove most effective for crucial green pod yield measures, including the number and weight of marketable pods. Moreover, 40 ppm 6-BA or 5 ppm TRIA significantly enhances pod characteristics, such as length, diameter, and weight, consistently improving over both seasons. Particularly, 5 ppm TRIA outperforms in enhancing the chemical quality of pods throughout the study. Overall, the findings suggest that the application of 5 ppm TRIA offers the most favorable enhancements for the growth, flowering, productivity, and quality of snap bean plants in subtropical field conditions.

Effect of Bio Fertilization and Boron Spraying on Growth and Green Pod Yield of Three Broad Bean (Vicia faba L.)

Effect of Bio Fertilization and Boron Spraying on Growth and Green Pod Yield of Three Broad Bean (Vicia faba L.)

Effects of eco-green and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer rates on growth and green pod yield of hot pepper (Capsicum annum L.) in Bahir Dar Zuria District of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Hot pepper (Capsicum annum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops produced in Ethiopia. However, production and productivity of the crop is far below the world average, which is mostly associated with soil fertility depletions as a result of inappropriate application of fertilizer. Therefore, this field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic eco-green and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and green pod yield of hot pepper during the growing season of 2019/2020. The experiment was designed in factorial combinations of four levels of N (0, 59, 82 and 105 kg ha−1) and four levels of eco-green (0, 75, 125 and 175 L ha−1) which were laid down in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results revealed that application of N and eco-green (EG) fertilizers very highly significantly (P < 0.001) influenced plant height, numbers of different levels of branches, days to 50% flowering, days to 50% pod setting, days to first harvest, marketable, unmarketable and total green pod yields. Generally, the combination of high levels of nitrogen and EG increased the growth parameters of hot pepper including plant height and number of branches. The highest marketable (17.98 t ha−1) and total green pod yield (18.19 t ha−1) of hot pepper were recorded from the treatment combinations of 59 kg N ha−1 and 125 litter EG ha−1. The same treatment combination had also recorded the highest net benefit (318,516.91 ETB ha−1) with acceptable marginal rate of return (1706%) which can be recommended for economical production of green hot pepper in the study area and areas with similar agro-ecology.

Studies on Seasonal Influence on Yield and Quality of Dolichos Bean Genotypes

Background: Dolichos bean [Dolichos lablab (Roxb.) (L) Var. typicus] is one of the most important leguminous vegetable crops cultivated in tropical plains of India. The mature and immature pods are rich in protein, minerals and vitamins. Most of the pole types of dolichos beans are photosensitive in nature, suited for growing in specific season like kharif and not productive when grown in summer season. Different cultivars of Dolichos bean require different seasons for getting maximum yield. With this background, studies on seasonal influence on growth and yield of dolichos bean genotypes were carried out. Methods: An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of season and genotypes in Dolichos bean. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with nine treatment combinations and four replications. In this study, three genotypes of dolichos bean viz., CO 1, Dbp-3 and Dbp-4 were sown during kharif, rabi and winter seasons. Result: The main and interaction effects on genotypes and season of sowing had a significant influence on green pod yield, crude fibre, crude protein and total dry matter production. The genotype Dbp-3 sown during kharif season recorded the highest values for green pod yield (23.43 t.ha-1), crude protein (5.99%), dry matter production at various stages of growth (65.9, 254.3, 305.8, 359.2, 389.8 and 418.0 g.plant-1 at 30, 60,90,120,150,180 days after sowing respectively) and it was significantly different from all other treatments. The same treatment i.e., genotype Dbp-3 sown during kharif season was recorded the lowest amount of crude fibre content (1.53%).

Studies on Genetic Divergence among Indian and Exotic Cowpea Germplasm Based on Morphological &amp; Agronomical Traits

Aim: Assessment and characterization of genotypes is essential for successful crop breeding efforts. This study was undertaken at the Department of Vegetable crops, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India to assess and characterize the 40 cowpea germplasm from indigenous and exotic collections. Methodology: To analyze the genetic diversity, Mahalanobis D2 statistic analysis is employed. Results: Based on the findings of the current study, it can be inferred that certain genotypes, namely EC-572715 for plant height, EC-390216 for various phenological traits such as days to first flowering, days to first pod emergence, and days to first pod edible maturity, as well as WB-9 and IC-628899 for the number of primary branches, COPBVAR-3 and EC-97306 for the number of pods per cluster, EC-390216 and IC-628899 for pod length, EC-472272 and COPBVAR-3 for the number of seeds per pod, and COPBVAR-3, EC-390241, and EC-390216 for the number of pods per plant and green pod yield per plot, exhibit promising characteristics for adoption in large-scale agricultural practices following rigorous multiplication and multi-location testing. Additionally, these genotypes could serve as valuable donor parents in breeding programs aimed at improving crop traits.

Genetic dissection of green pod yield in dolichos bean, an orphan vegetable legume, using new molecular markers.

In the era of genomic-assisted breeding for crop improvement, developing new molecular markers and validating them for use in breeding programs are the prelude. Dolichos bean is one of the most important vegetable legume crops owing to its nutrient-rich green pods used as vegetables. Limitations in genomic resources, including molecular markers, restrict the accelerated improvement of the crop. In the present investigation, a set of 430 new simple sequence repeat markers was developed from sequence information of a reference variety. These markers included di- and tri-nucleotide repeats. The markers were assayed on an association panel, which was evaluated for green pod yield over 5years. A multi-locus model, FarmCPU, was used to assess the marker-trait association analysis. A total of 106 marker-trait associations were identified using an efficient mixed-model approach. Tri-nucleotide repeats were more informative and predominantly associated with trait. Among these markers, 17 were associated with a high level of significance. Markers LP-D-68 and LP-D-14 were identified with a high level of significance in 5-year pooled data and explained 12.70% and 12% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. These markers associated with a high level of confidence have significant scope for use in marker-assisted selection programmes. Other associated markers may be utilized for improving parents through marker-assisted recurrent selection or genomic selection programs.

WITHDRAWN: Standardizing agronomic practices for mechanical harvesting of the single-harvest garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) in India

The field investigations were conducted to study the effect of time of sowing, spacing and sowing method on yield and its attributing traits on single-harvest garden pea to standardize the agronomic practices for mechanized cultivation in India. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with 30 treatments comprising five dates of sowing in main plots and 2 different planting methods (flat and bed) sown at three different spacing in subplots and replicated three times. The bed size was standardized according to front-loading width of the pea combine. Significant interactions were observed between the date of sowing and spacing for a number of pods per plant, green seeds per pod, green pod yield per plant, green pod yield per plot; date of sowing and sowing method for pod length; spacing and sowing method for plant height. However, for all the traits, there was non-significant 3-way interaction. The late sown (20th December) crop resulted in the lowest number of pods per plant, green seeds per pod, green pod yield per plant and green pod yield per plot which was due to high temperature and low relative humidity at pod development and filling stage. It is concluded that the sowing of garden pea cultivar Punjab-89 on 5th November at an intermediate spacing of 20 × 7.5 cm using bed sowing method resulted in significantly highest green pod yield of 12.75 kg/9m2 in the single harvest.

Exploration of Genetic Diversity and Variability in Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L.) in the New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal

The winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L.) is a multipurpose, underexploited leguminous crop of the tropics that is rich in proteins and minerals. The present study, entitled “Exploration of Genetic Diversity and Variability in Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L.) in the new alluvial zone of West Bengal’’ was conducted to assess the degree of variability, variation, genetic advance, for multiple quantitative traits in order to establish selection criteria for achieving high pod yield per plant in the winged bean. A total of 14 genotypes were included in the experimental material. The individuals were reared in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications throughout the kharif seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–2022. The trait with the highest GCV and PCV was the number of pods per plant, with values of 23.33 and 23.65, respectively. This was followed by the green pod yield per plant in kg, with GCV and PCV values of 22.78% and 22.91%, respectively. A high heritability estimate was recorded for the character of green pod yield per plant (98.8%), followed by total sugar (95.1%), protein content g/100 g (pod) (94.1%). Seed yield per plant (93.9%), vine length (cm) (93.6%), duration of the crop (days) (93.1%), shelling percentage (89.9%). A high genetic advance was observed. Vine length (81.40), followed by other characters like seed yield per plant (62.45), number of pods per plant (21.37), duration of the crops (14.65), shelling percentage (8.5), and days to first harvest (8.3) for quantitative parameters and protein content g/100g (pod) (4.61), followed by other characters like protein content g/100g (seed) (3.16), ascorbic acid (1.52), and total sugar (0.82%) for qualitative parameters.

Conservation tillage and residue management practices in rice improves stress tolerance of succeeding vegetable pea by regulating physiological traits in Eastern Himalayas

The majority areas of valley lands in the Himalayan foothills remains fallow after the rice harvest. Recycling of plant biomass with conservation tillage may help in enhancing soil water availability, crop physiological function and productivity under moisture stress hill environments of this region. The present study focused on three tillage practices viz., no-till (NT), minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT) and five nutrient management (NM) practices viz., 100 % NPK, 50 % NPK, 50 % NPK + in-situ residue retention (ISRR), 50 % NPK + weed biomass (WB) and 50 % NPK + green leaf manure (GLM) in rice and their residual effect on physio-biochemical properties, yield attributes and produce quality traits of succeeding pea varieties (Arkel and Prakash). Results revealed that total leaf chlorophyll content in vegetable pea varieties Arkel and Prakash was 12.0 and 11.5 % higher under no-till (NT) followed by 11.9 and 10.6 %, respectively under minimum tillage (MT) as compared to conventional tillage (CT) in rice. Similarly, application of 50 % NPK+ green leaf manure (GLM) and 50 % NPK+ weed biomass (WB) enhanced total leaf chlorophyll content in pea by 6.50–8.17 % and 3.93–5.48 % for pea varieties Arkel and Prakash, respectively. Photosynthetic rate and leaf dry weight were found 40.4 and 80.2 % higher under MT in Arkel whereas transpiration rate (E) and shoot dry matter were 33.1 and 19.3 % higher in Prakash under MT. Leaf water potential and root-to-shoot ratio were found 22.6 and 16.5 % higher in Prakash under MT and NT compared to CT respectively. Leaf temperature and stomatal conductance were 8.67 % lower and 9.8 % higher under MT in Prakash respectively as compared to CT, whereas 4.8 and 13.0 % higher under 50 % NPK +GLM and 50 % NPK+WB as compared 100 % NPK. Leaf cell viability was 22.5 and 20.1 % higher under MT whereas leaf MDA content was 29.9 and 28.3 % higher under MT in Arkel and Prakash respectively. Leaf relative water content was significantly higher to the tune of 25.7 and 22.4 % under NT compared to CT whereas leaf cell membrane integrity was 41.3 and 40.4 % higher under NT for Arkel and Prakash. Higher pod protein was noticed under MT along with 50 % NPK+GLM (13.1 %), whereas total soluble sugar was recorded highest under NT with 50 % NPK+GLM (21.1 %) in Prakash and MT with 50 % NPK+GLM (18.3 %) in Arkel. However, in both varieties, lower TSS was recorded under CT and with 50 % NPK (14.2 and 11.2 %) and the reducing sugar was maximum under the application of 50 % NPK+WB as compared to 100 % NPK alone. For both varieties of pea, green pod yield was recorded highest under MT (4.76 & 5.89 t/ha) as compared to CT (4.76 & 6.17 t/ha) and NT (4.76 & 5.55 t/ha). While 50 % NPK+WB has recorded significantly highest green pod yield of Arkel, 50 % NPK+ GLM has caused the highest yield of Prakash. PCA executed on physiological traits explained the total variability to the tune of 85.50 %, thereby extracting three PC's viz., PC 1 (62.63 %), 12.58 %) and 10.28 %, respectively. Thus, the adoption of MT in rice followed by NT in winter pea with the application of 50 % NPK+WB or 50 % NPK+GLM is promising for better physiological traits and subsequently favoring the grain yield of pea under stressful hill environments of Eastern Himalaya.

Effect of Organic Sources of Nitrogen on Growth, Yield, Quality and Economics of Vegetable Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) in Organic Farming

An experiment was conducted on vegetable cluster bean variety Pusa Navbharat to find out the effect of organic sources of nitrogen on growth, yield and economics of vegetable cluster bean. This experiment was conducted in certified organic plot for the three years (2020, 2021, 2022) during semi rabi season at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, AAU, Khambholaj. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. There were eight treatments viz., T1: No manures (Control) , T2: N equivalent of 20 kg/ha through FYM, T3: N equivalent of 20 kg/ha through Vermi compost, T4: N equivalent of 20 kg/ha through Castor cake, T5: Bio NP (Rhizobium and PSB), T6: N equivalent of 10 kg/ha through FYM + Bio NP (Rhizobium and PSB), T7: N equivalent of 10 kg/ha through Vermi compost + Bio NP (Rhizobium and PSB) and T8: N equivalent of 10 kg/ha through Castor cake + Bio NP (Rhizobium and PSB). Plant height, green pod yield, its related traits and crude protein content in pods were recorded every year and pooled analysis was carried out. There was significant difference observed for green pod yield and its related traits. Whereas, plant height and crude protein content in pods was remain non-significant for different organic sources of nitrogen. Application of N equivalent of 20kg/ha through FYM recorded maximum yield and its related traits with higher net return.

Evaluation of Planting Dates and Varieties of Pole Type French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Southern Odisha

For any crop production, the time for sowing seeds and different promising varieties is important for economical yield. Suitable varieties availability is a major lacking factor as a pole type French bean cultivation in Odisha during off-time. Very little information is available on different aspects of pole type cultivation of French bean cultivation in the Southern part of Odisha. The present investigation was conducted at Post Graduate Research Farm, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha during early rabi 2022. The experiment was carried out the for the performance study of four different planting dates (3rd September, 18th September, 2nd October and 17th October) and five French bean varieties (Ayoka-427, Gloria, Akamsha, Raikia Bean, Moraleda) in Split Plot Design with three replications. The result of the experiment revealed the effect of planting dates in the highest plant height, minimum days took to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, maximum primary branch number, number of green pods per cluster, number of green pods per plant, average green pod weight, green pod length, pod width, pod yield per plant and green pod yield per hectare was observed on 17th October which was noted statistically similar or followed by the planting date 2nd October. Among the varieties, Ayoka-427 and Raikia Bean excelled in other varieties in different growth parameters, flowering, yield and yield attributes. Hence it can be concluded that Ayoka-427 and Raikia Bean may be suggested to the farmers to cultivate in October month under the Southern part of Odisha.

Standardized agronomic practices for mechanical harvesting of the single-harvest garden pea in India

The field investigations were conducted at Vegetable Research Farm, Department of vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana with the objective to standarize the agronomic practices for mechical harvesting of garden pea. Therefore, effect of different agronomic traits including time of sowing, spacing and sowing method on yield and its attributing traits were studied on single-harvest garden pea. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with 30 treatments comprising five dates of sowing in main plots and 2 different planting methods (flat and bed) sown at three different spacing in subplots and replicated three times. The bed size was standardized according to front-loading width of the pea combine. Significant interactions were observed between the date of sowing and spacing for a number of pods per plant, green seeds per pod, green pod yield per plant, green pod yield per plot; date of sowing and sowing method for pod length; spacing and sowing method for plant height. However, for all the traits, there was non-significant 3-way interaction. The late sown (20th December) crop resulted in the least number of pods per plant, green seeds per pod, green pod yield per plant and green pod yield per plot which was due to high temperature and low relative humidity conditions at pod development and filling stage. It is concluded that the garden pea cultivar Punjab-89 sown on 5th November at the spacing of 20 × 7.5 cm on beds (bed width of 1.0 m) resulted in significantly highest green pod yield of 12.75 kg/9 m2 in the single harvest. Therefore, the 3 beds of 1 m width can be harvested together with pea combine (because combine has working front width of 3.1 m) results into maximum yield when pea crops is sown on 5th November @ 20 × 7.5 cm spacing.

Identification and characterization of photo-thermo insensitive cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes for hot arid environment

High green pod yield, dual purpose type, earliness and photo-thermo insensitivity are the major breeding objectives of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. Photo-thermo sensitivity makes this crop vulnerable to photoperiod and temperature fluctuations particularly in hot arid regions, thereby affecting its yield potential drastically. Therefore, the present study was aimed to identify such elite genotypes with photo-thermo insensitivity, which can fit well across all seasons under hot arid environment. The experiments were conducted at ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner during rainy and summer seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21. A wide range of variability among genotypes was observed with respect to various phenological and yield traits over the environments. Among the evaluated genotypes, AHCP-1-4-1 and AHCP-2-3 were found photo-thermo insensitive as these were able to flower and set pods at temperatures as low as 10oC and as high as 46°C. Pollen viability studies indicated that AHCP-1-4-1 had 83.72 and 88.24% pollen viability and AHCP-2-3 had 81.58 and 85.71% viable pollen at 11°C and 46°C, respectively and normal pollen tube growth at both the extremes of temperature. The identified genetic resources will contribute for developing photo-thermo insensitive cultivars and will improve the productivity and extend the availability of cowpea with quality pod yield across all seasons and locations of hot arid regions.