Terminal high temperature is a major environmental stress limiting wheat productivity worldwide. The field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of terminal heat stress on wheat growth and yield. The factorial experiment was designed in randomized complete block design with three replications, and comprised of eleven treatments of chemicals namely water spray @ 500 l/ha at 45 days after sowing (DAS) and during heat stress; salicylic acid @ 50 μM at 45 DAS and during heat stress; salicylic acid @ 100 μM at 45 DAS and during heat stress; calcium chloride @ 0.5% at 45 DAS and during heat stress, calcium chloride @ 1% at 45 DAS and during heat stress; unsprayed control under ambient temperature and heat stress. An increase of +11.6°C of average maximum temperature and +2.5°C of minimum temperature was observed by imposing heat stress during 108-114 DAS. The results revealed that grain yield was reduced by 35% due to heat stress. In this study, the growth parameters, yield attributes and grain yield did not vary significantly with the spray of different chemicals.
Field experiments conducted at Agroforestry research unit of G.B.P.U.A. & T., Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during rabi seasons of 2013–14 and 2014–15 to study the effect of DBW-17, PBW-502, UP-2748 and HD-2967 varieties of wheat in association with S7C8, G-48, W-39 and Kranti poplar clones on biomass accumulation, soil properties and carbon stock revealed that the wheat varieties HD-2967 and DBW-17 produced at par but significantly higher total biomass than UP-2748 and PBW-502. Poplar clone S7C8 (4.25 t ha−1) in 2013–14 Kranti (12.28 t ha−1) in 2014–15 recorded the highest total tree biomass. Soil properties viz., organic carbon, bulk density and total soil carbon stock were the maximum with the clone Kranti. Wheat varieties failed to affect soil properties and carbon stock significantly. The available soil nitrogen was significantly higher with clone Kranti, while soil available phosphorus and potassium remain unaffected by the poplar clones.
A field experiment was conducted at Junagadh on clayey soil during 2015 to 2017 at Junagadh (Gujarat) to evaluate the potentiality of organic farming in groundnut-chickpea crop sequence in terms of productivity, profitability and soil health. Treatments comprised FYM, castor cake and vermicompost in various proportions (applied on equivalent N basis) and chemical fertilizers. Results revealed that application of FYM 1250 kg/ha + castor cake 139 kg/ha to groundnut improved growth, yield and quality parameters viz., plant height, pods/plant, test weight and oil content, and ultimately recorded significantly higher pod yield (1513 kg/ha) and haulm yield (3200 kg/ha) of groundnut as compared to RDF + FYM 5 t/ha. While manuring of vermicompost 667 kg/ha + castor cake 222 kg/ha to chickpea enhanced growth, yield and quality attributes viz., plant height, pods/plant, test weight and protein content, and eventually produced significantly higher seed yield (2269 kg/ha) and stalk yield (3272 kg/ha) of chickpea. Maximum net returns were obtained with application of FYM 1250 kg/ha + castor cake 139 kg/hain groundnut and with application of vermicompost 667 kg/ha + castor cake 222 kg/ha in chickpea. Application of FYM +castor cake to groundnut, while that of vermicompost + castor cake to chickpea significantly increased uptake of N, P and K. Application of FYM, vermicompost and castor cakeimproved post-harvest organic carbon, and availability of N, P and K in soil.
Millets play an important role in rainfed region of the country which contributes 60 percent of the total area. Especially minor millets are very rich nutrients and are minerals and resistant to drought and stress in rainfed farming. Consumption pattern of small millets and finger millet was examined by using NSSO unit level data. Assam (18.82 kg/hsh/m) and Bihar (18.69 kg/hsh/m) states have highest consumption of small millets found in all India and rural areas. Madhya Pradesh has highest area of small millets (32.4%) followed by Chhattisgarh (19.5%), Uttarakhand (8%), Maharashtra (7.8%), Gujarat (5.3%) and Tamil Nadu (3.9%). Uttrakhand has highest productivity of 1174 Kg/ha followed by Tamil Nadu (1067 Kg/ha) and Gujarat (1056 Kg/ha). Structural breaks estimated based on bai-peron method for both finger millet and minor millet. In case of area under minor millets structural break was observed in the year 1998 and between 2000 and 2002. In comparison to sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet limited varieties of small millet have been developed.
This study was undertaken in Auraiya district of Uttar Pradesh in central plan of agro-climatic zone where more than 53% of total geographical area covered under dense forests and hilly tracts. five villages were randomly selected from all the three community development blocks of the district with a sample size of 150 small and marginal farmers, 30 from each village. It was found that out of the eight farming systems followed by the resource poor farming community of Auraiya district, Rice-Wheat with a pair of bullock is the most prevalent farming system adopted by 34.0% of total farm households followed by Rice-Wheat-livestock. Rice-Pulse-horticulture crop combination was adopted by only 3.3% of total respondents. An on-farm-trial (OFT) to assess suitable integrated farming system( IFS) in one ha of land for the resource poor farmers of this complex, diversified and risk prone (CDR) central plain zone comprising of both crop (rice-green gram-early tomatoearly cauliflower) and non-crop components (poultry-mushroom-vermi compost) was tested by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Auraiya during 2013-14. It was found that the gap of net income between the farming systems was Rs. 140993 rupees. BC ratio calculated was 2.82 and 1.75 of the recommended and traditional farming systems respectively. This recommended IFS was found valid for the resource poor farm families in central plain zone with increasing land use efficiency, sustaining livelihood by strengthening the economic status and generating employment using the land and time judiciously.
A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural research Institute, New Delhi during the rabi season 2014-15 to study the effects of various tillage practices on biophysical parameters, yield attributes and yield of wheat in pigeonpea-wheat cropping system. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design (RBD) replicated thrice. The following treatments were included such as zero tilled permanent narrow bed (PNB), zero tilled permanent narrow bed plus residue (PNB+R), zero tilled permanent broad bed (PBB), zero tilled permanent broad bed plus residue (PBB+R), zero tilled flatbed (ZT), zero tilled flatbed plus residue (ZT+R). The yield attributes viz. plant height, plant biomass, leaf area index (LAI) etc. were significantly influenced with tillage practices. Yield was recorded significantly higher under PBB+R followed by ZT+R, ZT, PBB, PNB+R, PNB and CT
A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2016, to study the plant height, dry matter accumulation at different growth stages and grain yield of direct-seeded basmati rice under different integrated crop management (ICM) modules. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications and eight treatment combinations i.e., ICM modules (ICM1 to ICM8). The study revealed that the plant height, dry matter accumulation at different growth stages and grain yield (4.03 t ha–1) of direct-seeded basmati rice under different ICM modules were statistically and numerically higher in the ICM7 i.e., zero till (ZT)-summer mungbean residue retention (SMB-RR) + ZT- direct seeded rice (DSR) + wheat residue @ 3 t ha–1 + 75% of recommended dose of fertilizers @ 100:50:50 N: P2O5: K2O kg ha–1 (RDF) (N through Zn coated urea/ZCU) + glyphosate as pre-plant (PP) @ 1 kg a.i. ha–1 + pretilachlor as pre-emergence (PE) @ 0.75 kg a.i. ha–1 followed by bispyribac-sodium @ 25 g a.i. ha–1 as post emergence (POE) at 25 days after sowing (DAS) + need based water management, disease and integrated pest management, with comparison to other modules. Direct seeding of rice in ICM7 module increased grain yield by 4.13, 9.51 and 19.9% over direct seeding/transplanting under ICM8 (ZT-SMB-RR + ZT- DSR + wheat residue @ 3 t ha–1 + 50% RDF + AMF + NPK-biofertilizers (liquid formulation) + glyphosate as PP @ 1 kg a.i. ha–1 + pretilachlor- PE @ 0.75 kg a.i. ha–1 fb bispyribac-sodium @ 25 g a.i. ha–1 as POE at 25 DAS + 1 HW), ICM1 (Conventional transplanting/TPR + 100% of RDF + butachlor-PE @ 1 kg a.i./ha + 1 HW) and ICM2 (TPR + 75% RDF (N as ZCU) + NPK- biofertilizers + butachlor as PE @ 1 kg a.i. ha–1 + 1 HW) modules. This study suggests that zero-tilled direct-seeded rice in wheat and summer mungbean residue retained plots (ICM7) with adoption of suitable weed management practices produced comparable yields as in transplanted rice (ICM1).
Field study conducted at Students Instructional Farm (S.I.F.) of C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur during Rabi 2015-16 to know the suitable combinations of these sources. Results showed that application of RDF+ Azotobacter + Vermicompost @ 5.0 t ha–1 produced significantly better yield contributing characters like total tillers per m2 (490.29), productive tillers per m2 (271.24), unproductive tillers m2 (219.05), length of spike (9.67 cm), number of grain per spike (45.79), grain weight spike (2.45 g), and 1000 seeds weight (43.93g) besides producing highest grain yield (5557 kg ha–1) and net return (Rs. 67094 ha–1) in comparison to control and all other treatments.
Recommendations to obtain maximum yields of groundnut often don't occur with the same row spacing and recommended doses of nutrients due to different crop needs. The proper plant spacing and nutrition determined the yield of a particular variety in a specific agro-ecological environment. A field experiment was conducted at Gwalior during kharif 2016 to assess the effect of plant geometry and fertility levels on growth, yield, and profitability of groundnut crop for sustained yield. The treatments consisted of three spacings (25×10 cm, 20×10 cm and 30×10 cm) and three fertility levels (75, 100 and 125% recommended rate of fertilizers and was laid out in split plot design with three replications, in fixed plots. Sowing of crop at 20×10 cm spacing resulted in 28 and 24% higher pod yield and 41 and 47% higher haulm yield over 25×10 cm and 30×10 cm spacing, respectively. Similarly, application of 125% RDF resulted in 7 and 21% higher pod yield and 12 and 32% higher haulm yield compared to 100% RDF and 75% RDF, respectively. The crop also fetched highest gross returns and B:C ratio where it was sown at closer spacing of 20×10 cm with 25% higher dose of NPK.
A field study on the effect of row spacing on seed yield and seed quality attributes in rice cv. 'Pusa Sugandh-5' were taken up at ICAR- IARI, New Delhi during kharif 2008-09 and 2009-10. Treatment included six row spacings viz., 30 cm × 20 cm, 30 cm × 15 cm, 30 cm × 10 cm, 20 cm × 20 cm, 20 cm × 15 cm and 20 cm × 10 cm with three replications placed under randomized block design (RBD). The observations on various yield contributing parameters, yield, quality attributes and vigour index were recorded. Results showed that row spacing of 30 × 20 cm was significantly superior in term of seed yield and other characters viz. number of total productive tiller/hill, days to 50% flowering, test weight, filled grain/panicle, seed recovery, seed moisture and harvest index. Seed obtained from 30 cm × 20 cm spacing showed significantly higher germination percentage, seedling dry weight, root length, shoot length, total seedling length, per seedling dry weight, vigour index- I and vigour index- II compared to other row spacing treatments.
Future wheat varieties to succeed in the field must have the perceived desirable traits and liking of the farmers. In present study, promising new wheat varieties recommended for the Central Zone, for various cultivation conditions were tested in farmers' fields' to know farmers' opinion and feedback on new wheat varieties in Madhya Pradesh. During 2010-11 to 2015-16, a total of 194 Wheat Frontline Demonstrations on sixteen varieties with three checks were conducted at farmer's field (avg. plot size: 0.46 ha) in 41 villages of seven Districts. The results revealed that six important desirable traits of wheat varieties as perceived by wheat farmers of M.P., in order of preference by farmers were: yield, hard threshing, short plant stature, suitable for early sowing, heat & drought tolerant and good grain appearance (shine, boldness and uniformity). On the basis of desirable traits, farmers ranked newly introduced top five wheat varieties as HI 8663 (Rank 1), HI 8737 (Rank 2), HI 1544 (Rank 3), HI 8713 (Rank 4), and HI 1531 (Rank 5). Farmers perceived major constraints in wheat productivity as: limited availability of seeds of new varieties, non-availability of critical inputs like fertilizers, machinery and labour etc. at proper time, forced sale of farm produce at nonremunerative prices/unorganized marketing, increasing cost of cultivation and sowing unsuitable varieties for early as well as late sown conditions. Future varieties to succeed in the field must have these desirable traits. Thus, it is crucial to involve farmers at every stage of technology (variety) development in participatory mode for successful development, adoption and dissemination of the new wheat varieties and associated technologies.
Agriculture is an important component of rural livelihoods. Almost 70% of India's population of 1.2 billion- some 833 million persons lives in rural areas. Women play a pivotal role in all agricultural activities from sowing to post harvest work. Woman is the backbone of Indian agricultural workforce and doing the most tedious and back-breaking tasks in agriculture and household chores. Drudgery of farm women is an important aspect that has attracted wide attention of researchers. The progress of farm mechanization in terms of demand of agricultural equipment is estimated at about 1 to 1.5 per cent per annum. Mechanization with gender specific domain can only alleviate the burden of women farmers. Some commendable work has been done to develop agriculture with major emphasis technologies for drudgery reduction with gender issues in rural sector with an intent to understand the women technological needs which is different than men due to their different physiological and ergonomical variations. Therefore in this paper gender specific farm tools and techniques were highlighted. Improvement in the practices and development of ergonomically suitable implements for agriculture related operations is helpful to reduce drudgery and to achieve higher production in an efficient manner.
An experiment was conducted during rabi 2013-14 to study the performance of wheat under different planting methods and weed management practices. Experiment was laid out in split-plot design replicated thrice, having six planting methods [bed planting with two and three rows, drill sowing at 18 and 20 cm (conventional tillage), drill sowing at 18 and 20 cm (zero tillage)] as main-plot treatments and five weed management practices [pinoxaden 50 g/ha, {carfentrazone + metsulfuron (RM)} 25 g/ha, pinoxaden + {carfentrazone + metsulfuron (RM)} (50+25g)/ha, weed free and weedy check] as subplot treatments. Planting methods had no significant effect on plant height, whereas, dry matter accumulation and LAI were significantly higher under zero tillage at 18 cm row spacing as compared to bed planting with two rows of wheat. Zero tillage at 18 cm row spacing produced significantly higher tillers, whereas, bed planting with two rows of wheat had significantly longer spike length and 1000 grain weight. Significantly lower grain, straw and biological yield of wheat was recorded in bed planting with two rows of wheat as compared to all other tillage treatments which remained at par with each other. Gross returns, net returns and B: C were maximum under zero tillage at 18 cm row spacing. The combine application of pinoxaden + [carfentrazone + metsulfuron (RM)] (50 + 25 g)/ha at 35 DAS, being at par with weed free, gave significantly higher value of growth parameters, yield attributes, yields and economic returns by wheat as compared to weedy check, however, these parameters under alone application of pinoxaden (50 g/ha) and carfentrazone + metsulfuron (RM) (25 g/ha) at 35 DAS were at par with each other but were significantly higher over weedy check.
Field experiment was conducted during kharif 2014 to evaluate performance of quality protein maize hybrids under fertility levels. Treatment consisted quality protein maize varieties viz., HQPM 1, HQPM 5, Pratap QPM hybrid 1 and Vivek QPM 9 and four fertility levels viz., 90 + 12.9, 110 + 17.2, 130 + 21.5 and 150 + 25.8 kg N + P ha–1. Highest values of yield attributing parameters, grain (4.26 t ha–1), stover yield (6.33 t ha–1), net return (45176 ` ha–1and B C ratio (2.42) were obtained with HQPM 1. Similarly total N P K uptakes were significantly higher in HQPM 1 over rest of the varieties. Protein content of HQPM 1, HQPM-5 and Pratap QPM 1 were statistically at par but significantly higher than Vivek QPM 9. At harvest experimental soil with Vivek QPM 9 had significantly higher N and P however, K status of soil did not vary significantly. For quality protein maize, application of 150 kg N + 25.8 kg P ha–1 significantly improved growth, yield attributing parameters, grain (4.17 t ha–1) and stover (6.25 t ha–1) yield and proved economically profitable dose with highest net returns (43302 ` ha–1) and BC ratio (2.25).
A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Rajasthan) during kharif season of 2013. Results showed that application of pendimethalin at 0.75 kg ha–1 and one HW at 25 days after sowing (DAS) resulted in significant reduction in weed density, weed infestation and weed dry matter in comparison to most of the treatments. The further results indicated that weed free plots showed significantly higher dry matter accumulation, dry weight of nodules per plant, number of pods per plant but number of kernels per pod, seed index, pod yield and haulms yield, remained at par with the application of pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg ha–1. The weed free plot showed significantly higher number of nodules per plant, fresh weight of nodules per plant and remained at par with application pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg ha–1 and one hand weeding at 25 DAS over control. But, weed free plot significantly increased shelling percentage and remained at par with application @ 0.75 kg ha–1, one hand weeding at 25 DAS and imazethapyr @ 100 g ha–1 over control. Result further indicated that application of sulphur @ 60 kg ha–1 significantly higher weed dry matter, dry matter accumulation, dry and fresh weight of nodules, number of nodules per plant, number of pods per plant, number of kernels per pod, seed index, pod yield and haulms yield and shelling percentage over control. However, harvest index, weed density and weed infestation remained materially unchanged under different treatments of weed control and sulphur levels.
A study was taken to assess the effect of integrated nutrient management, soil amendment and growth regulator on performance of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea). The inorganic sources of nutrient supplied significantly improved growth and yield parameters, seed yield and quality parameters of mustard along with the total uptake of N, P and S. The economic returns were obtained higher when only inorganic sources of nutrients were supplied as compared to other sources of nutrients supplied like FYM (farm yard manure) and poultry manure. Gypsum use in mustard crop resulted in significant improvement in growth and yield parameters, stover, seed and biological yield. The total uptake of N, P and S were reported higher when 50% was applied as gypsum at sowing and 50% at 35 DAS (days after sowing). Economic returns and benefit: cost ratio was higher where gypsum applied twice. Application of the growth promoter, thiourea (1000 ppm) also resulted in enhanced yield attributes, stover and seed yield of mustard.
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of different potato genotypes for off- season cultivation in Koraput region of Odisha. Sixteen genotypes were evaluated for 10 quantitative characters during kharif season of 2014 and 2015 and their inherent relationship. Observation on plant height at 30 and 60 days after planting (DAP) revealed that Kufri Chipsona 3 recorded maximum plant height of 34.0 and 44.5 cm, respectively closely followed by Kufri Chipsona 1 (32.3 and 43.3 cm). For growth parameter leaf area, Kufri Lalit recorded maximum value of 111.3 cm2 statistically at par with Kufri Lalima (109.1 cm2 performed poorly with a meagre leaf area of 63.2 cm2 plant were recorded in Kufri Ashok (7.81), which was statistically at par with Kufri Lalima, Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Lalit, Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Chipsona 3 and Kufri Khyati. Average tuber weight showed variation in kharif season potato in which variety Kufri Jyoti registered maximum value of 28.9, followed by Kufri Pukhraj (28.6) and Kufri Lalit (28.0). Kufri Lalima recorded maximum tuber yield of 133.2 q/ha which was statistically superior to all other varieties. Other promising varieties were Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Lalit, Kufri Khyati, Kufri Jyoti and their performance were similar for tuber yield. Kufri Chipsona 3 performance was good with a yield of 120 q/ha while Kufri Arun registered a meagre yield of 84.2 q/ha. In terms of marketable yield, Kufri Pukhraj gave maximum yield of 107.4 q/ha which was at par to other top performers viz. Kufri Lalima, Kufri Lalit, Kufri Khyati and Kufri Jyoti. Potato marketable yield had positive and significant correlation with all other parameters except for plant height at 30 DAP. Other parameters viz. plant height at 60 DAP (0.446), total leaflets (0.391), dry matter (0.401), leaf area (0.794), tubers/plant (0.942) and average tuber wt. (0.735) exhibited higher values for genotypic correlation over phenotypic correlation. which was ) and Kufri Pukhraj (108.1 cm2 in kharif season. Maximum number of tubers/ ). Exotic variety ‘Atlantic’
A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive rabi (winter) seasons of 2011-12 and 2012-13 at the Agronomy Farm of S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner, Rajasthan to evaluate the effect of organics and fertilizer levels on barley yield and soil bio-chemical properties. The application of vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 + biofertilizers significantly increased the grain yield of barley by 29.23%, mean over two years of study. Addition of FYM and vermicompost alone or in combination with biofertilizers showed significant improvement in soil nutrient availability, dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities and microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus after harvesting of barley over control. Among the organics, the application of vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 + biofertilizers recorded improvement in all the soil properties. Fertilizing the crop with 75% RDF gave significantly highest grain yield of barley over unfertilized plots. Application of increasing levels of chemical fertilizers also improved the soil bio-chemical properties over control.
A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 on sandy loam soil at Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidhyalaya, Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, India to evaluate the performance of greengram for applied sulphur and to work out the appropriate dose of sulphur. Three greengram cultivars viz. PDM 139, Virat, IPM 2 were evaluated under 4 levels of sulphure (0, 10, 20, 30 kg S/ha). Various yield attributes and seed yield of greengram was recorded significantly superior under greengram cultivars PDM 139. While, stover yield was observed significantly higher under cultivar Virat followed by IPM 2. Greengram cultivar PDM 139 produced 36.14% and 13.12% higher seed yield as compared to Virat and IPM 2, respectively. Growth parameters viz. plant height, trifoliates, dry weight/ plant, root length and root dry weight; nodules/ plant, nodules dry weight, yield attributes i.e. pods/plant, pod weight/plant and seeds/pods and seed yield were obtained significantly higher under 30 kg S/ha. Application of sulphur at 30 kg/ha produced 10.73 and 57.65 % higher seed yield and 25.07 and 50.08 % more stover yield over 20 and 0 kg S/ha, respectively. Highest harvest index, net returns and return per rupee was obtained under PDM-139 with 30 kg S/ha. Greengram variety PDM 139 with sulphur @ 30 kg/ha performed better in respect of seed yield and net returns as compared to virat and IPM 2.
The research work was undertaken at Student's Instructional Farm, Chandra Sekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, India, with the objective of identifying most suitable rice hybrid in terms of yield and economics, and work out the optimum nutrient management level for different rice hybrids. The experiment comprised 12 treatment combinations of 3 nutrient management levels viz. Farmer's dose (80:30:30 N, P2 (RDF) (150:75:60:25 N, P2 O, ZnSO4 kg/ha) and 4 rice hybrids namely, PHB 71, Pro-agro 6444, PAC 832 and Shri Ram K2 Sonali. The experiment was conducted under split plot design with four replications. Hybrid PHB 71 produced significantly higher number of effective tillers, panicle length and grains per panicle as compared to Pro-agro 6444, PAC 832 and Shri Ram Sonali. The number of effective tillers, panicle length and grains per panicle increased significantly with increasing levels of nutrient management and maximised at 125% of RDF. Hybrid PHB 71 produced 6.5 t/ha grain yield which was computed to 8.4, 13.8 and 29.1% higher than the grain yield obtained from PAC 832, Pro-agro 6444 and Shri Ram Sonali, respectively. At 125 % of RDF the highest of 6.7 t/ha grain yield of rice was produced and recorded by 9.5 and 49.4% higher than the RDF and farmers dose, respectively. Gross return, net return and benefit: cost ratio were computed maximum in PHB 71 followed by PAC 832, Pro- agro 6444 and Shri Ram Sonali. At the same time gross return, net return and benefit: cost ratio were also obtained maximum at 125% of RDF as compared to RDF and farmers dose. , K2 O, ZnSO4 O5 , K2 O5 kg/ha) and 125% of RDF (187.5:93.75:75:31.25 N, P2 O kg/ha), Recommended dose of fertilisers
