JOURNAL OF AGRISEARCH

Spatial and Temporal Arrangement of Hybrid Maize for Assesment of Phenology and Agrometeorological Indices

Suffiya Wani — 2023-03-29

A field trial was conducted during the Kharif season of 2020 to assess the effect of spatial and temporal crop geometry on the phenology, yield and agro meteorological indices of hybrid maize at the Agronomy Research Farm, FoA Wadura, Sopore, SKUAST-Kashmir. The experiment was carried out in split- split plot design with dates of sowing (17^th SMW; D₁), 19^th SMW; D₂ and 21^st SMW; D₃) as main plot treatments; varied row spacing (50 cm × 20 cm; S₁, 60 cm× 20 cm; S₂ and 70 cm ×20 cm; S₃) as sub- plot treatments and two maize hybrids (Hytech- 5801;H₁ and YSH- 1; H₂) as sub- sub plot treatments. Results indicated that hybrid Hyteh- 5801 sown on 17^th SMW observed highest grain yield and biological yield and took greater days to reach different phenological stages, thereby piled higher heat units, PTUs, HTUs, HyTUs, PTI followed by 19^th SMW and 21^st SMW. The plant spacing of 70 cm ×20 cm took maximum days for reaching different phenophases and accumulated maximum heat units, PTUs, HTUs, HyTUs, PTI. Thermal use efficiencies were maximum ((HTUE, PTUE, HyTUE and HUE)) when the maize hybrid Hytech-5801was sown on 17^th SMW. The biological yield based thermal efficiencies showed the highest response with row-spacing of 50 cm × 20 cm whereas grain yield based thermal efficiencies were maximum under 70 cm×20 cm plant spacing.

Influence of INM on Performance of Soybean-Wheat based Cropping System under Central Narmada Agro-Climatic Zone of Madhya Pradesh

Vinod Kumar — 2023-03-29

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate organic vis-à-vis inorganic fertilizers and soil sustainability in soybean-wheat cropping sequence for two consecutive years. Grain yield of both the crops, i.e., soybean (16.29 q/ha) and wheat (46.05 q/ha) was observed to be significantly superior by fertilizer application as per general recommended dose of respective crops. Integrated application of fertilizers i.e., inorganic fertilizers 50% and organic fertilizers 50% was found to be the next superior treatment to that of general recommended dose. Soil properties were improved by use of organic and inorganic fertilizers in combination. However, no significant change was observed in case of soil pH and electrical conductivity.

Sustainable Productivity and Profitability through Maize-based Cropping System in Hilly Areas of Manipur

KHUMLO LEVISH CHONGLOI — 2023-03-29

The field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years during 2018-19 and 2019-20 at three different locations of the farmers’ field in Chandel district of NEH Region, Manipur to compare the different maize-based cropping systems. From the two years data, it was observed that the highest maize yield was recorded from the sole crop 50.65 q/ha and 51.20 q/ha during 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively, due to its higher plant population. The equivalent yield of maize 52.16 q/ha and 54.90 q/ha was recorded to be higher in maize + groundnut intercropping system during 2018-19 and 2019-20 as compared to maize + rice bean intercropping system. Though, intercropping with other crops reduced the grain yield of maize but intercropping increased the maize equivalent yield than sole maize. The gross return was highest in maize + groundnut intercropping system with Rs. 152510/ha and Rs.160700/ha with the net profit of Rs. 104141/ha and Rs. 110550/ha during 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively. The benefit cost ratio was also found to be highest in maize + groundnut intercropping system during the years of experimentations. From this result, it can be concluded that maize + groundnut intercropping will be more beneficial and a viable practiced to achieve the goal of higher sustainable productivity and profitability in attaining doubling of farmers’ income.

Comparative Evaluation of Methods for Estimation of Soil Salinity

P KUMAR — 2023-03-29

Different methods to estimate electrical conductivity (EC) of saturated soil paste extract (EC_e) of 1:2 and 1:5 soil: water suspensions were evaluated. Soil samples were taken from different depths (viz. 0-15, 15-30, 30-45, 45-60, and 60-90 cm) of the wheat field under irrigated saline regimes ranging from 1.5 to 12 dSm^-1. The relationship between the electrical conductivity of saturated paste extract (EC_e) and soil-water suspension extracts (i.e., EC_1:2and EC_1:5) was established beside the development of regression models and conversion factors. Regression models relating EC_e with EC_1:2, EC_1:5were developed with coefficients of determination (R²) 0.98 and 0.99 respectively. The average conversion factor between EC_e~ EC_1:2 and EC_e~ EC_1:5were 2.7 and 7.7, respectively. Methods standardized in the study can be used to estimate the EC of different saturated soil paste extract ratios, which will be less cumbersome and significantly reduce the estimation time.

Standardization of the Growing Media for maximizing Seed Germination of Ber

SURENDER SINGH — 2023-03-29

A field experiment to standardize the growing media for maximizing the seed germination of ber (Ziziphusmauritiana var. rotundifolia) was conducted in the nursery of Experimental Orchard, Department of Horticulture, CCS HAU Hisar. The media for the study were garden soil and sand with the different proportion of vermicompost, FYM and cocopeat constituting 16 treatments. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design. The results revealed that growing Media T₇: Garden soil + FYM + VC + CP (3:1:1:1) reduced the number of days for germination (19.33 days) and increased germination percentage (74.60%). The same media also resulted into highest N content in leaves (1.47 %) over all other growing media, in ber seedlings. The data clearly indicated that significantly higher seedling height was observed under T₇ - Garden soil + FYM + VC + CP (3:1:1:1) i.e. 22.73, 47.90, 71.57 and 106.43 cm at 60, 90, 120 and 150 DAS, respectively. Therefore, growing Media T₇ - Garden soil + FYM + VC + CP (3:1:1:1) may be recommended for commercial cultivation.

Studies on Variability of Physico-Biochemical Parameters of Mango Fruit

PATEL KK — 2023-03-29

More than a thousand varieties of mango (Mangifera indica L.) are grown in India. Their quality attributes not only differed altogether but also depends on their maturity and storage after harvest. An experiment on four mango varieties harvested at pre-, optimum, and over-maturity stages from different orchards was conducted in this study. The effect of varieties and harvest stage, and their interactions on external diameters, arithmetic and geometric mean diameters, sphericity, and aspect ratio was analyzed. Similarly, the change in peel color values, specific gravity, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and total carotenoids with respect to varieties, harvest stage, and storage periods and their interactions were analyzed statistically. Dimensions, size, weight, volume, aspect ratio, and sphericity varied significantly among the cultivars and were found to be increased significantly from the pre-to-over maturity stage. Interaction between the harvest stage and cultivars also had a significant (p<0.05) effect on the fruit’s breadth, thickness, size, weight, volume, aspect ratio, and sphericity (except on length). Similarly, specific gravity and peel color values and biochemical attributes were also found to be changed significantly among the cultivars, maturity stages, and storage periods. The effect of their interactions on peel color values and bio-chemical properties was also significant. However, there is an insignificant effect of interactions on the specific gravity of mangoes. Results concluded that most of the physical and biochemical parameters of mangoes were variable and dependent on cultivar type, maturity stage and storage period, and on their interactions. This study, therefore, can be fruitful during the designing of processing equipment and can be helpful in the post-harvest management of mangoes

Assessment of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance of Chrysanthemum

MANSI SHINGALA — 2023-03-29

An experiment was conducted to study genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance among twenty varieties of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) at the College Farm, College of Horticulture, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, SDAU, Jagudan during 2020-21. A wide variation in performance of the varieties were recorded for various growth, flowering, yield and quality parameters and results shows that magnitude of the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genetic coefficient of variance (GCV). High GCV and PCV was recorded for fresh weight of flower followed by number of leaves per plant, number of flowers per plant, number of primary branches, shelf life, yield of flowers per plant and yield of flowers per plot. High heritability along with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for number of leaves per plant, days to full bloom, number of flowers per plant, yield of flowers per plant and yield of flowers per ha. Further, these characters could be exploited for improvement through breeding programme.

Proximate Composition of some Indigenous Plant Species having Ethno-medicinal Importance

SIMANTA DAS — 2023-03-29

The present investigation was intended to study the phytochemical composition as well as juice characteristics of seven plant samples viz. S. cumini L., S. fructicosum Roxb. DC., Basella alba L., Basella rubra L., R. indica L., R. damascena Mill. and R. bracteata J.C. Wendl. collected from different places of Jorhat district, Assam, India. R. indica L., R. damascena Mill. and R. bracteata J.C. Wendl. of Rosaceae family was found with higher ascorbic acid content (139.84mg/100g, 142.72 mg/100g and 120.93 mg/100g) as well as total phenolic content (1516.52 mg GAE/100g, 1380.67 mg/100g and 1347.23 mg GAE/100g). Fruits of Basella rubra L. had higher total flavonoid content (292.52 mg QE/100g) followed by fruits of Basella rubra L. (262.88 mg QE/100g) and flowers of Rosa bracteata J.C. Wendl. (196.12 mg QE/100g). Fruits of S. cumini L. are found to be rich in anthocyanin content (124.87 mg/100g) as well as total ash (1.84%) and minerals like phosphorus (32.53 mg/100g), sodium (96.24 mg/100g), calcium (142.36 mg/100g) and potassium (252.44 mg/100g). Higher iron content (4.37 mg/100g) was quantified in fruits of Basella rubra L.

Performance of Seed-cum-fertilizer Drill, Zero Till Drill and Broadcasting Method for Sowing Greengram

B MOHANTA — 2023-03-29

Pulses provide the required protein supplement to the vegetarian people. Pulse is the most important food crop in India and from all integral part of the cropping system farmers all over the country. Greengram or mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is the major pulse crop of the state Odisha covering total area of 8.36 lakh ha with average productivity 434 kg per ha, which is about 40 percent of the total pulse area of the state. Present study was conducted for zero-till drill and seed- cum- fertilizer drill for sowing on the yield of greengram in the year 2016-17 in village Niladeipur and Achyutpur village of Jajpur district in Rabi season. It is found that zero-till drill is having highest benefit-cost ratio of 2.07 as compared to 1.90 with seed drill and 1.77 with broadcasting. Use of zero till drill for sowing of green gram was economical as the costs of fuel, labour and inputs are saved. It can save around Rs. 1750/- per hectare required for field preparation.

Physical Properties of Black Pepper for designing a Robotic Black Pepper Harvester

AMSUJA V AJAYAN — 2023-03-29

Agricultural robots were designed based on the characteristics of the target crop. In this study, two varieties of black pepper including Kaimunda and Panniyur 1 were evaluated for physical parameters to design a robotic black pepper harvester. The main objective of this study was to measure and analyze the physical properties of black pepper to design the robotic pepper harvester. In this regard, studies were conducted for pepper spike, pepper peduncle, pepper berry, and pepper vine separately. The results showed that the average length and diameter of pepper spikes of Karimunda and Panniyur 1 respectively as 10.4 cm and 1.10 cm; and 12.8 cm and 1.30 cm. In an average the tested peppers have a berry diameter of 0.42 cm and RGB value of (20, 39, 3) - (255, 224, 111) for Karimunda variety and 0.59 cm and (35, 54, 10) - (255, 240, 100) for Panniyur 1 variety. Based on the shear strength analysis, at a cutting speed of 0.1 mm s ^-1, the average shear strength of the peduncle was obtained as 1718.6 N mm^-2 for Karimunda and 1671 N mm ^-2 for Panniyur 1. And at cutting speed 1 mm s^-1, the average shear strength peduncle of Karimunda and Panniyur 1 respectively is 1535 N mm^-2 and 1544 N mm^-2. The average length of the peduncle of Karimunda and Panniyur 1 respectively as 1.2 cm and 1.3 cm, and the diameter of both varieties was 0.17 cm. The maximum leaf coverage of the pepper vine ranges from 10 to 91, and the 95th percentile of the data was 76 cm.

Determination of Engineering Properties of Coleus Pertinent to the Design of a Digging-cum-Windrowing Unit

A R SURAJA — 2023-03-29

Coleus (Solenostemon rotundifolius) is an important minor tuber crop grown in the homesteads of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. There was a demand for mechanisation for harvesting the tuber because the conventional method of harvesting followed was tedious and time-consuming. For the design and development of a coleus harvester with reduced drudgery, the design parameters were selected with respect to the tuber properties. Random sampling was carried out for determining the physical and frictional properties of coleus. The average values of physical properties such as length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, volume and bulk density were found out as 44.56 mm, 27.36 mm, 24.50 mm, 30.99 mm, 0.70, 3029.69 mm², 15786.50 mm³ and 718.21 kg m^-3 respectively. The angle of repose was determined as 30.83° and the coefficient of static friction was found out as 0.73, 0.69 and 0.81 on galvanised iron, stainless steel and plywood surfaces respectively. These data were used for the design of various components of the harvester.

Drying and Pickling of Cucumber Slices

PRACHI PAHARIYA — 2023-03-29

Drying and pickling are the most ancient and effective methods to preserve food which are used so far. In particular, drying cucumber slices using a dehydrator has been shown to significantly reduce their moisture content from 89% w.b. to 4.5% w.b. and lower their water activity from 0.98 to 0.17, making them safe from microbial activity. Moreover, storing these dried cucumber slices for up to 9 days did not result in any significant increase in water activity. The cucumber slices also pickled using different vinegar solutions. It has been observed that with increase in storage period pH of the solution as well as pickles decreases. Vinegar concentration of 480 and 600 ml have shown similar trend. This study showed that drying and pickling can be used to preserve cucumber slices for longer period

Status of Mechanization in Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh

M VINAYAK — 2023-03-29

Indian Agriculture is undergoing a gradual shift from dependence on human power and animal power to mechanical power. Mechanical power is largely consumed in big land holdings asunder their economic condition, the small and marginal farmers are unable to own farm machinery on their own. Andhra Pradesh State is typically an agrarian State with 80.96 lakh ha of the net sown area and has about 65.39 lakh ha operational holdings and 34.35 lakh ha are small and marginal holdings. Some of the initial problems in farm mechanization had been the small and scattered size of farm holdings, financially challenged farmers, lack of awareness among the marginal farmers, and the issue of dry land agriculture. In Andhra Pradesh at present, the Farm power availability is below 2.00Kw/ha. Which is low and there is a lot of scope for improvement. The mechanization index very low SC and ST category because of that is staying away from the municipal areas, small land holding, less annual income, and repair and Maintenance Lake of non-availability of workshops in rural areas. The economic status of the farmers is greatly affected by the farm mechanization index less mechanization formed in less than 25,000 Rs of the annual income of the farmers.

Evaluation of Fungicides and Plant extracts against stem rot of mustard pathogen (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) In-Vitro and In-Vivo condition

DHEERAJ KUMAR TRAPATHI — 2023-03-29

Mustard group of crops are important oil seed crops of the world. The stem rot of mustard incited by Sclerotinia scletiorum (Lib.) de Bery, is a new emerging drastic disease. The pathogen was tested with 12 Fungicides and 03 Plant extract In-Vitro.In-Vivo condition 9 fungicides and 01 plant extract were tested in the year of 2019-20 and 2020-21. Among the tested fungicides namely Mancozeb, Chlorothalonil, and Vitvax were found most effective which inhibited the growth of the pathogen completely and inhibition exhibited 100%. Vapum was the least effective fungicide which showed 88.03mm fungal growth with 2.18 per cent inhibition over control. In-Vivo condition Chlorothalonil and Mancozeb was most effective fungicides which was showed mean minimum disease incidence (06.25% and 08.87%) and maximum mean yield 6.55 and 5.75q/ha. respectively. Next order of superiorly fungicides were Kitazin, Bavisin and Vitavax, which were showed the mean disease incidence 11.68, 13.65, 15.6 and yield 5.20, 4.70 and 4.30q/ha. respectively. Among the tested fungicide Zineb was least effective which was showed the maximum mean incidence of disease (30.03) with respect to minimum mean yield (2.67q/ha). Among the plant extract Nimbidinwas least effective which showed 33.14 per cent mean disease incidence and minimum (2.32q/ha) grain yield.

Assessment of Crop Production Dynamics in Punjab

ROHLUPUII RALTE — 2023-03-29

The structural transformation brings changes to new technology in the form of high-yielding seeds, fertilizers and pesticides and the adoption of modern and improved farm practices since mid-1960s. However, after the mid-1980s, the growth rate of the agricultural economy started decelerating. Results revealed that during overall period, the growth rate in area, production and yield was negative for field crops except for rice and wheat. For fruits and vegetables, the growth rate in area, production and yield were positive for almost all the periods, the area effect was higher for food grains and the yield effect was higher in fruits. The state was found to be less diversified.

Assessment of Impact of Demonstrations on Vegetable Crops in Bundelkhand

ARJUN LAL OLA — 2023-03-29

During Kharif 2021, an investigation was carried out in Prathvipura village, block Babina, district Jhansi, and the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. A total of ten demonstrations on vegetables showed their production potential: bhindi, sponge gourd, brinjal, amaranth, and cowpea bean variety A-5, Pusa Sneha, Pusa Hara, Pusa Kiran, and Pusa Sukomal. Increased yields of 8.33, 9.38, 11.54, and 9.38 percent were recorded from bhindi, sponge gourd, brinjal, and cowpea crops, respectively, where the extension gap was 1500, 1500, 3000, and 1500 kg/ha. The technology gap was observed at 1000, 0, 4000, -50, and 5 kg/ha for cowpea, bhindi, brinjal, sponge gourd, and amaranth, where the technology index was 5.88, 0, 13.33, -0.31, and 3.85 percent, respectively. The highest net returns were observed for 95,000, 102,500, 120,500, 122,500, and 145,500 Rs from sponge gourd, amaranth, cowpea, bhindi, and brinjal, with cost-benefit ratios of 1.46, 2.73, 2.66, 2.13, and 2.32 after each rupee investment, followed by a local check.

Tobacco Agridaksh: An Online Expert System

H RAVISANKAR — 2023-03-29

New advances in information technology led to the development of Expert Systems and their application in various sectors including farming. In India, agricultural production has been transformed into a multifaceted business enterprise. Indian agriculture to remain competitive needs the accumulation and integration of scientific knowledge, and information from many diverse sources. Indian farmer often relies on agricultural specialists, advisors and agricultural research and development institutes for agricultural information for better decision making at the actual farm situation. Unfortunately, timely specialist assistance is not available when the farmer needs. Thus the situation demand for a ‘virtual expert’ who can give personalized expert advice to a large community of farmers, specific to their needs and aspirations considering various knowledge sources. The role of expert systems in tobacco sector and its applications in effective production and protection technologies have been discussed in this article. It is almost impossible for any human expert to consider every piece of available information before arriving at optimal decisions. To overcome this problem and provide precise information to the farmers, “expert systems” have been developed with a primary goal to make expertise available to clients and decision makers who need answers swiftly. The main aim is to deliver the required information and disseminate the up-to-date scientific knowledge in a readily accessible and easily understood form to the farmers. It is one of the most efficient extension tools to take the technology from scientists to the growers directly without any distortion of content which normally creeps in because of multiple agencies involved in conventional technology transfer systems. With this aim, ICAR-Central Tobacco Research Institute has developed a web-based expert system on tobacco using “Agridaksh”- an online tool developed by ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute. This, online expert systems has the tremendous capacity to transfer location specific technologies and advice to the farmers with a greater precision

Clinical Management of Corneal Ulcer by Chemical Cauterization using Silver Nitrate

BIPIN KUMAR — 2023-03-29

The aim of this study was to devise the method of treatment of corneal ulcer in dogs which is very common in some breeds of dog. Earlier it was treated with some topical antibiotics but it was not successful as desired. In this study the cauterization of ulcer was done with silver nitrate, which was found to be very cheap and successful both in terms of financial and recovery parameters