Sheath blight (Shb) disease is a major constraint to rice production, leading to significant yield losses globally. The disease has increased in recent years due to intensive cultivation coupled with growing of susceptible cultivars. This study employed advanced geostatistical techniques to assess the spatial distribution of Shb in Karnataka, India, over two consecutive cropping seasons (Kharif 2021 and 2022). A total of 110 sampling sites were surveyed covering 14 major rice-growing districts. Disease severity was recorded and analyzed using geostatistical approaches viz., Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), Indicator Kriging (IK), Moran’s I statistic, and Ripley’s K-function. The results revealed distinct spatial clustering of Shb, with high-severity hotspots (> 40
The predatory mites, Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans), remain one of the most frequently recorded indigenous biological control agent of Tetranychus urticae in India. Understanding the influence of acaricides on predatory mites is essential for the success of a pest management. In this study, we evaluated the effects of sublethal concentrations (LC₁₀ and LC₃₀) of cyenopyrafen on Neoseiulus longispinosus in F₁ generation by leaf dip bioassay method under laboratory conditions using age-stage, two-sex life table analysis. The egg, larval, protonymph, and deutonymph stages were notably prolonged for both sexes with increasing cyenopyrafen concentrations. However, the overall lifespan was significantly reduced at LC₁₀ and LC₃₀ compared to control. The shortest oviposition period was recorded at LC₃₀ (7.53 ± 0.12 days), with the lowest fecundity as females produced only 25.34 ± 0.23 eggs per female, along with the lowest egg hatchability. The marked reduction in male survival and female proportion suggests a potential disruption of reproductive dynamics in the population. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were significantly lower at LC₃₀ and also mean generation time was significantly shorter at LC₃₀. Survival analysis showed that female survival rates were 77
Recently Indian agriculture is faced by several complex challenges like declining productivity, poor resource use efficiency, lesser share in Indian economy (14.4%); high dependence of population on agriculture and allied sectors (52%); more thrust on annual cereal crop production etc. Integrated farming system (IFS) is considered as one of the best viable option towards farming system approach through intensification of small holder farm income to ensure livelihood and income. Integrated Farming system approach includes crops and subsidiary enterprises (Dairy, Sheep etc.,). Accordingly, the land was divided component wise into per cent area out of 1.0 ha. Growing cropping systems like paddy-paddy /paddy-finger millet/paddy-pulse with 50 per cent area in order to meet the family food requirement and in addition to get better profit out of these produce. The five years pooled data revealed rice production for 5000 m 2 was (4191 kg) of rice. Production from horticulture components was 2730 kg /year, dairy (720 lit /year) yield), sheep unit (152 kg/year) and vermicompost unit (8 t/year). Similarly, the net returns from various components viz. , crops (Rs. 54707 ), Horticulture (Rs.79161), Dairy (Rs.4, 21600) and sheep unit (Rs.52000). The total quantity of produce recycled was (24580 kg) worth of Rs.49160. Effective recycling of farm waste in terms of vermicompost/compost can save Rs.18197 by addition of 768.2 kg of nutrients in-terms of N, P & K. The total annual mandays generated out of various components varied from 671 mandays. Energy use efficiency was 3.81%, carbon sink was 13640 CO 2− e in kg and improved carbon sequestration and negative trend was noticed in GHG emission (CO 2 -e : -4093.0)
Background: Flowering time is an important trait of consideration while developing cultivars with desired crop duration. It is wise to understand the variability for the attribute in the population developed through appropriate parental combination for the desired target trait. For early generation testing and use in marker assisted selection, identifying the molecular markers associated with the trait of interest is crucial to enhance precision and decision making. Methods: An F2 population developed through hybridization of contrasting genotypes for flowering time and maturity viz., IPF 4-9 and Khanapur 10 was evaluated with an aim of isolation of superior transgressive segregants and bulk segregant analysis (BSA) was employed for identifying linked molecular markers for flowering time. Result: The wide range of flowering times, spanning from 24 to 90 days was noticed across the genotypes, in addition, substantial variability was recorded for plant height (range), number of pods per plant (range), days to first flowering (range) and seed yield per plant (range). Studies on genetic parameters indicated high genetic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), along with high heritability and genetic advance for number of pods per axil, number of primary branches per plant, hundred seed weight and number of seeds per pod. Different classes of transgressive segregants based on flowering time with varied maturity were identified. BSA for flowering time using early and late bulks revealed two SSR markers, AB23 and AA206, linked to the trait. The research outcome of isolation of superior transgressive segregants and molecular markers linked to flowering time will be immensely useful and form genetic resource in developing high yielding early genotypes suitable under changing climatic vagaries and for early generation testing and marker assisted selection (MAS).
An experiment was carried out to ascertain the effects of soil pH regulants on growth, flowering and color intensification of hydrangea cut flower under naturally ventilated polyhouse during 2022 to 2024, with seven treatments (g/m2) viz., aluminium sulphate (60, 90 and 120) and lime (200, 250 and 300) replicated thrice in randomized block design. Results revealed that lime (300 g/m2) exhibited maximum plant height (66.62 cm), plant spread (north-south) (65.65 cm), leaf length (22.98 cm), number of leaves (34.62), head diameter (29.49 cm) and stalk length (69.99 cm). Besides, maximum vase life (27.49 days), true blue colour (RHS colour: Purple violet group N82, strong purple A) and highest B:C ratio (4.08) was recorded with aluminium sulphate (120 g/m2). Hence, treatment lime (300 g/m2) is proved best for better growth, flowering and quality attributes, however, aluminium sulphate (120 g/m2) was found best for colour intensification of hydrangea.
