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ThesisItem Open Access DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-PROPELLED LEAFY CROP HARVESTER 3755(jau junagadh, 0009) ASWATHI. K.; Dr. V. K. Tiwari; 1050218001India ranks second in fruits and vegetable production in the world, after China. It produced 191.77 million tonnes of vegetables under area cultivation of 10.35 million hectare as per National Horticulture Database (Second Advance Estimates) published by National Horticulture Board, during 2019-20. The average productivity of most horticultural crops in India is low due to the use of traditional tools and methods for cultivation. In Saurashtra region, most of farmers conduct harvesting of leafy crops like coriander, fenugreek, Indian spinach etc. manually in the early morning. It involves a variety of traditional postures not ergonomically suitable for harvesting and prolonged exposure to these traditional methods can result in drudgery and occupational diseases. Due to perishable nature of leafy crops, harvesting requires manpower and delayed harvesting affects the quality of the product. The manual harvesting in one hectare area of leafy crops normally needs 160- 200 man- hours and labour cost is increasing over the years. To solve the harvesting problem for leafy crops a self-propelled leafy crop harvester was designed developed and its performance was evaluated. The developed harvester mainly consists of main frame, cutting unit, conveyor unit, storage unit, steering unit and transportation unit with the cutting width of 0.76 m and total weight of 213 kg was designed, developed and tested for three different crops namely, coriander, fenugreek and Indian spinach at three crank speeds (S1 - 175-274 rpm, S2- 275-374 rpm and S3 -375-425 rpm). The cutting efficiency was found 81.08 %, 73.41 % and 62.98 % for Indian spinach, fenugreek and coriander respectively. The highest cutting efficiency was found at highest crank speed. The crankshaft speed, S3 (375 - 425 rpm) was found to have the highest effective field capacity. It was found 0.1099 ha/h, 0.1096 ha/h, and 0.1041 ha/h for Indian Spinach, fenugreek and coriander respectively. The field efficiency was found 79.04 % in Indian spinach crop as compared to 78.79 % for fenugreek and 74.86 % for coriander. The fuel consumption was found 0.96 l/h, 0.97 l/h and 0.96 l/h for coriander, fenugreek, and Indian spinach respectively. The heart rate, oxygen consumption and energy consumption rate were increased with increase in crank speed. The highest values of energy consumption rate 4.41 kcal/min were found for Indian spinach at crank speed, S3. These values indicate the harvesting operation comes under the category of moderately heavy work. The subjective rating of subjects during the operation was found in range of 3.4 - 4.6 which falls in category of light to moderate work. The cost of harvesting by the developed harvester was compared with the manual method and found ₹ 1990.38 /- and ₹ 7000/- per hectare respectively. The saving in cost and time of harvesting by leafy crop harvester was found 71.57 % and 95.30 % per hectare with respect to manual method of harvesting. The benefit cost ratio and payback period for self-propelled leafy crop harvester was found 3.05 and 2.62 years, respectively. The break-even point for the developed leafy crop harvesting machine was found 122.9 h per yearThesisItem Open Access GROUNDNUT VACUUM PACKAGING: CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AND COMPETITIVE SCENARIO IN JUNAGADH DISTRICT 3760(jau junagadh, 0009) KOTADIYA KAUSHIKKUMAR BHARATBHAI; Dr. Kalpesh Kumar; 2072121008This study investigates the consumer behavior and competitive landscape of the groundnut vacuum packaging market in Junagadh district. The study aims to measure the impact of vacuum packaging on groundnut, identify factors that differentiate users and non-users, explore brand switching behavior, evaluate competitive advantage and marketing constraints faced by dealers. The research was conducted in seven talukas of Junagadh district, utilizing a multistage sampling technique. A total of 200 farmers and 20 dealers were selected as respondents. The study employs various research methodologies to achieve its objectives. Likert's scale is utilized to assess the impact of vacuum packaging, while discriminant function analysis is employed to identify factors distinguishing users and non-users. Garrett's ranking method is used to evaluate marketing constraints and competitive advantage, and simple tabular analysis is employed to study brand switching behavior. The findings of the study reveal significant factors influencing farmers' purchasing decisions and brand switching behavior regarding vacuum-packed groundnuts. Key factors include brand reputation, affordable pricing, innovation, quality assurance, and product availability. Farmers prioritize cost-effectiveness, brand trust, and familiarity when making purchasing decisions. Factors driving brand switching behavior include quality, improved results, accessibility, peer influence, and positive brand image. Dealers facing the constraints like low profit margin and market competition with the advantages like positive brand image, quality of the product and efficient logistics.ThesisItem Open Access Heterosis and combining ability over environments in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench).(2004) JAVIA, RAKESHKUMAR MAGANLAL; Poshiya, V.K.In the present investigation, the information regarding heterosis, combining ability and stability parameters were obtained in respect of fruit yield and its components in okra. The material for the present study comprised of four females, nine males and resulting thirty-six hybrids, tested at the Instructional farm, Junagadh during early summer, late summer and kharif, 2003. The analysis of variance for parents and their hybrids for different characters revealed significant differences among the genotypes, environments and genotype x environment interactions for all the characters, indicating existence of considerable variability in the material studied and between the environments tested. Genotype x environment interactions which were significant for all the characters revealed differential response of the genotype to varying environments. This suggested the importance of testing material over a range of environments. Both additive and non-additive type of gene actions were involved in the genetic control of various characters studied. The magnitude of non-additive variance was higher than the additive variance for all the characters. The results further revealed that most of the superior combinations had involved at least one parent with high gca effect for almost all the traits. Parents D-1-87-5; NOL-101; NDO-10; JO (2000 K)-15; P. Kranti; HRB-107-4; HRB-55 and GO-2 were the good general combiners for yield per plant and fruits per plant. Among the crosses, HRB-55 x JO (2000K)-15 and GO-2 x NOL-101 had high sca effects for yield per plant and fruits per plant. On the basis of mean performance, the cross combination HRB-55 x D-1-87-5 recorded highest yield per plant following by P. Kranti x D-1-87-5 and GO-2 x D-1-87-5. However, highest heterobeltiosis was exhibited by the crosses P. Kranti x D-1-87-5; GO-2 x D-1-87-5 and GO-2 x NOL-101. Genotype x environment interaction exhibited significant differences for all the characters suggesting that genotypes interacted considerably with environments. Significance of g x e (linear) against pooled deviation for the characters under study suggested that genotypes differ for their linear regression on environmental index. Non-linear component also played an important role for these characters. Practical utility of any prediction in such cases will depend on the relative magnitude of these variants. Linear component was significantly higher for all characters. On the basis of mean ( X ), regression coefficient (bi) and deviation from regression (S2di) it was concluded that none of the parents and hybrids showed the stability for yield per plant but the parents viz., D-1-87-5, NDO-10 and JO (2000 K)-15 and hybrids GO-2 x P. Sawani showed above average stability for yield per plant.ThesisItem Open Access LINE X TESTER OVER ENVIRONWIENTS IN PEARL IWIILLET {PenimlsetiBm glaiscum (L.) R.Br)(JAU,JUNAGADH, 2004-03) M. H. Vaghasiya; Dr. K.V. PethaniThe heterosis and combining ability over environments were investigated for fourteen characters using eight male sterile lines and eleven pollinators in a line x tester mating design. These 19 parents and their 88 crosses were grown in randomized block design with three replications at two different environments at Junagadh (Ei) and at Jamnagar (E2). Observations were recorded on ten randomly selected plants in each entiy for days to first stigma receptivity, days to last stigma dry, stigma receptivity duration, days to first anthesis, days to last anthesis, anthesis duration, number of nodes per plant, earhead length, earhead girth, number of tillers per plant, plant height, days to maturity, 1000 grain weight and grain yield. The pooled analysis of variance revealed that all the sources of variation were significant for all the characters except parents for stigma receptivity duration and anthesis duration. The higher magnitude of heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis were obtained higher for stigma receptivity duration, anthesis duration, earhead length, number of tillers per plant, 1000 grain weight and grain yield and lower for remaining traits. The crosses viz., 94555 A x J-2313, 95222 A X J-2290, PN 6 A x J-2278, PN 6 A x J-998 and 218 A x J-2290 exhibited exploitable economic heterosis for grain yield and its components. Hybrids showing high economic heterotic effects for grain yield also depicted high heterotic response for at least one or more of its yield attributing characters and were in the combination of high x high, high X low and low x low par ss performing parents. Heterosis over standard check was generally in positive direction for all the characters viz., days to last last stigma dry, stigma receptivity duration, days to last anthesis, anthesis duration, number of nodes per plant, earhead length, earhead girth, number of tillers per plant, plant height, 1000 grain weight and grain yield. Whereas, it is generally in negative direction for days to first stigma receptivity, days to first anthesis and days to maturity. The pooled analysis of variance for combining ability revealed that variance due to females, males and females x males were significant for all the characters and greater role of additive genetic variance was indicated in the case of stigma receptivity duration, earhead length, days to maturity, plant height and grain yield. Whereas, preponderance of non-additive type of gene action was exhibited for days to first stigma receptivity, days to last stigma dry, days to first anthesis, anthesis duration, number of nodes per plant, earhead girth, number of tillers per plant and 1000 grain weight. The information on best general combiners for various characters revealed that JMS 9901 A for days to first stigma receptivity; 218 A for days to last stigma dry; JMS 9902 A for stigma receptivity duration; JMS 9901 A for days to first anthesis; 218 A for days to last anthesis; J-2369 for anthesis duration; J-2290 for number of nodes per plant; 214 A for earhead length; SB-223 for earhead girth; J-2296 for number of tillers per plant; J-2278 for plant height; JMS 9901 A for days to maturity; JMS 9902 A for 1000 grain weight and 95222 A, PN 6 A and J-2290 for grain yield were good general combiners for respective traits. The best specific combiners were 218 A x J-2340 for days to first stigma receptivity, 405 A x J-2313 for days to last stigma dry, JMS-9902 A X J-2290 for stigma receptivity duration, 218 A x J-2340 for days to first anthesis, 405 A x J-2313 for days to last anthesis, JMS 9902 A x J- 2296 for anthesis duration, 95222 A x SB-124 for number of nodes per plant, 214 A X J-998 for earhead length, 214 A x SB-223 for earhead girth, 94555 A x J-2290 for number of tillers per plant, 94555 A x SB- 124 for plant height, 218 A x J-2340 for days to maturity, 95222 A x J- 998 for 1000 grain weight and 94555 A x J-2313 for grain yield. Crosses showing high sea effects for grain yield were in combination of high x high, high x low and low x low general combiners. On the basis of heterosis and combining ability, the parents viz., PN 6 A, 95222 A, 94555 A, J-2290 and J-2278 and the hybrids viz., 94555 A X J-2313, 95222 A x J-2290, PN 6 A x J-2278 and PN 6 A x J- 998 were found to offer the best possibilities of their further exploitation for developing high yielding varieties of pearl millet.ThesisItem Open Access VARIABILITY AND CHARACTER ASSOCIATIONS FOR VEGETATIVE AND GRAIN FILLING PERIODS IN F2 POPULATIONS OF MACARONI WHEAT (Triticum durum Desf.)(JAU, JUNAGADH, 2004-05) S. K. Chavada; Dr. B. A. MonparaWheat is one of the important food grains and the durations of vegetative growth and grain filling is believed to be yield determining traits in this crop. To know the extent of variability for these traits and their associations with other agronomic traits particularly in segregating populations of durum wheat, this study was undertaken. Eight F2 populations along with their seven parents were grown in randomized block design with four replications at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Junagadh during Rabi 2002-03. Observations on fourteen characters were recorded. The results indicated that the differences among the entries found significant across the crosses for all the characters. Positive transgressive segregations in the F2 populations as arised in the Cross 2 and 4 for the characters like grain filling period, grain filling index, grains per spike, 100-grain weight, grain yield per plant and harvest index should be exploited to select for individual superior to the parents. The estimates of GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance were low in all the crosses for days to ear emergence, days to maturity, vegetative period, grain filling period, grain filling index, spikelets per spike and 100-grain weight, implying that these characters are largely under the control of nonadditive gene action and selection would be ineffective. On the other hand, grains per spike, grain yield per plant and harvest index with moderate to high heritability and genetic advance showed moderate to high GCV in most crosses, suggesting that additive gene action should have played a major role to explain these characters and more attention should be paid to these traits. Correlation studies revealed significant positive associations among days to ear emergence, days to maturity and vegetative period in all the crosses. Higher grain filling index was usually associated with earliness, shorter vegetative period and longer grain filling period. In such circumstances, selection for earliness in early generations and longer grain filling period through indirect selection of grain filling index in later generations would be better scheme for developing early genotypes with longer grain filling period. However, failure to identify an associations of vegetative and grain filling periods with grain yield per plant indicated that selection for an optimal durations of vegetative and grain filling periods to improve grain yield would not seem to be a deserving objective for durum wheat especially in our conditions and breeding efforts should be concentrated on other characters related to grain yield.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF FOLIAR SPRAY OF IRON, ZINC AND BORON ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF PAPAYA (Car/ca papaya Linn.) cv. Madhubindu(JAU,JUNAGADH, 2004-07) Anjanabha Bhattacharya; Dr. A.N. MakwanaA field experiment was conducted at Department Farm, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh iiom April, 2003 to April, 2004, to study the effect of foliar spray of iron, zinc and boron on growth, yield and quality of papaya {Carica papaya Linn.) cv, Madhubindu. There were total eight treatments, viz., T| (control - water spray), T, (FeS04 0.2 %), Tj (ZnS04 0.2 %), T4 (Borax 0.2 %), T5 (FeS04 0.2 % + ZnS04 0.2 %), To (FeS04 0.2 % + Borax 0.2 %), T, (ZnS04 0.2 % + Borax 0.2 %), Tg (FeS04 0.2 % + ZnS04 0.2 % + Borax 0.2 %) and each treatment replicated thrice in randomized block design. Plant height (185.66 cm), stem girth (78.33 mm), number of functional leaves per plant (26.48), fruit length (19.83 cm), Iruit diameter (14.33 cm) were found highest with T7 (ZnS04 0.2 % + Borax 0.2 %). It had also recorded lowest days to flowering (after T.P.) (56.66 days) and days of fruit maturity (after T.P.) (229.00 days) over control. While height at first Hower and fruit set remained unaffected by various treatments over control. Treatment Tg (FeS04 0.2 % + ZnS04 0.2 % + Borax 0.2 %) recorded highest number of fruits per Abstract 0.2 % + ZnS04 0.2 % + Borax 0.2 %) recorded highest number of fruits per plant (23.33), yield per plant (26.80 kg) and yield per hectare (89.33 tonnes) over control. Whereas Ti (control — water spray) recorded maximum average fruit weight (1.560 kg). Total soluble solids (TSS) (9.33 %), ascorbic acid content (33.36 mg/100 g), total sugar (9.33 %). reducing sugar (8.20 %), non-reducing sugar (1.13 %) were recorded maximum in T4 (Borax 0.2 %) over conlxol. In case of economics, Tg (FeS04 0.2 % + ZnS04 0.2 % + Borax 0.2 %) gave highest net returns (Rs.2,08,079 / ha) witli net CBR (1:3.47) over control. It is concluded that for maximum growth T7 (ZnS04 0.2 % + Borax 0.2 %), yield and economic point of view Tg (FeS04 0.2 % + ZnS04 0.2 % + Borax 0.2 %) and quality T4 (Borax 0.2 %) are advocated as foliar spray. 11ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF GROWTH AND RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR LIVESTOCK SECTOR IN GUJARAT STATE(JAU, JUNAGADH, 2004-08) Nrusingh Charan Das; Dr. K.A. KhuntThe present study was undertaken with a view to assess the progress of livestock sector in terms of population, productivity and production of different species in Gujarat state and to work out the proper allocation strategy for limited livestock research resources for the districts/regions, species and commodities and services, with reference to national goals. The time series data for livestock population, productivity and production were collected from various publications for the period 1992-03 with a view to estimate the compound growth rate for all the districts, all the regions and for the state. For priority setting, Multi-criteria scoring model was used in this study. The study covers all 19 old districts and six livestock species. The compound growth rate of both inmilk and milch indigenous and crossbred cow population were found positive and significant in all the four regions and in state also, whereas the instability was much higher in case of crossbred than that of indigenous cow population. Both inmilk and milch buffalo population growth was found positive and significant in all the districts of Gujarat state, except Bhavnagar. During the period 1992-03, most of the districts registered the positive and significant growth in inmilk and milch goat population. Among the milk producing animals, the highest growth was noticed in crossbred cow. In case of sheep population, the positive and significant growth was found only in Saurashtra region along with low instability as compared to other regions. Both the deshi and improved poultry layer population decreased significantly in most of the districts and the similar trend of growth and instability was also noticed in total poultry population. It was revealed from the composition and distribution study that buffalo was the dominant milk producing animal in all the regions, except Saurashtra, where goat was the dominant in population of milk producing animals. The share of crossbred population in total cattle milk producing animals was increased very slowly during the period 1992-03 in all the regions. The share of deshi layer population was also increased in all the regions but the share was very small as compared to the share of improved layer population. At the state level the inmilk productivity was found positive and significant in all milk producing animals, except the crossbred. In case of milch productivity, only indigenous cow registered the positive and significant growth rate. The sheep wool productivity was increased significantly only in Saurashtra region. The productivity of deshi layer was increased significantly in all the regions, whereas the positive and significant growth was noticed only in Saurashtra and North Gujarat for improved poultry layers. The indigenous cow milk production had increased significantly in all the districts, except Amreli and Bhavnagar and similar trend was also seen in total cow milk and buffalo milk production. All the districts of Middle, South and North Gujarat registered the positive and significant growth in goat milk production, while the non significant growth was observed in most of the districts of Saurashtra region. For wool production, the positive and significant growth was found in most of the districts of Saurashtra region, while rest of the districts had non significant growth rate. Total egg production of the state was significantly decreased, while the positive growth was noticed in deshi poultry layer egg production, but it was statistically non significant. During the same period egg production of improved layers has also decreased significantly. The contribution of buffalo milk was the highest in all the regions, followed by cattle and goat. Similarly the contribution of deshi layer egg production share in all the regions and in the state was gradually increased but it was lesser than share of improved layer. The contribution of Saurashtra in state wool production was increased rapidly due to the increase in sheep population and productivity. In the research allocation priority study, the highest priority should be given to Kachchh district, followed by Panchmahals, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Sabarkantha and Banaskantha districts. It was further noticed that all the districts of South Gujarat gains considerably over efficiency based allocation, when equity and sustainability criteria are superimposed on it. On the other hand, all the districts of Middle Gujarat and Saurashtra, except Kachchh district lose considerably due to incorporation of equity and sustainability criteria. In species wise priority, the buffalo research claims the highest priority (56.94%) in the state, followed by cattle (39.63%), goat (2.23%) and poultry (0.927%). The share of pig and sheep is very low. However the distribution of resources among the species varies from district to district. Cattle research should target mainly the districts of Saurashtra, whereas the districts of Middle Gujarat are the priority districts for buffalo research. Goat research activities should be concentrated in Saurashtra and Middle Gujarat. Most of the districts of Saurashtra region appear as the priority districts for sheep research. Focus on poultry research should be in Middle and South Gujarat regions. Most of the livestock species are maintained for dual or multiple purposes. So, to prioritise the commodities within the species is very important. At the state level, cattle research should focus on milk production (60.16%), followed by draft power (39.71%), while buffalo research should give more than 99 per cent of resources for milk production. similarly in case of goat research, where milk production gets 92.17 per cent, followed by meat research. Research on sheep should focus on wool production (70.33%), followed by meat (26.83%) and hide (2.85%). In poultry research both egg and meat research claims the equal priority. However the allocation of research resources among the commodities within the species varies across the districts, due to its relative importance and utility. In the commodity priority, milk research demands the highest priority (82.86%) in the state and followed by draft power (15.49%), meat (0.88%) and egg (0.54%). The share of skin and hair and wool is very low. Within the milk research, buffalo milk gets the highest priority in all the districts as well as in state. Similarly poultry meat claims the highest share in meat research in most of the districts. The hide research should focus on goat hide in the most of the districts of Gujarat state. Wool research gets the highest priority in Saurashtra, Middle and North Gujarat, while South Gujarat should focus on goat hair research.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF SOIL FERTILITY AND UNDER GROUND WATER QUALITY OF SURENDRANAGAR DISTRICT OF SAURASHTRA REGION(JAU, JUNAGADH, 2004-08) Patel C. A.; Dr.B.A.GolakiyaAn attempt has been made in the present study to evaluate the fertility status of soils of Surendranagar district and quality of underground well/tube well waters by collecting 200 surface soil samples and 164 under ground irrigation water samples from cultivated fields of the district. The results of fertility status revealed that the soils were deficient with respect to available N (157.5 kg ha-1), P2O5 (18.62 kg ha-1) and S (6.48 mg ha-1) whereas, high in available K2O (449 kg ha-1). Among micronutrients, Fe (12.77 mg ha-1), Mn (10.67 mg ha-1) and Cu (1.20 mg ha-1) were found sufficient, whereas, the soils were medium in Zn (0.644 mg ha-1). The organic carbon was low to medium (5.95 g kg-1). The soils of Surendranagar district are calcareous in nature (CaCO3 48.59 g kg-1). The CEC value was 28.50 cmol(p+) kg-1 indicating light to medium textures of soils. The results further indicated that the dominance of Ca (16.203 cmol(p+) kg-1) and Mg (10.192 cmol(p+) kg-1) among the exchangeable cations while, among the water soluble ions, Na+(8.22 me l-1) and Cl– (7.488 me l-1) were found in higher proportion indicating NaCl as the dominant salt in soil solution. Correlation between and among fertility and salinity/sodicity indices of soils showed that EC2.5 had significant relationships with pH (r = 0.1714**), ESP (r = 0.2964**), SAR (r = 0.8778**), organic carbon (r = 0.1590**) and P2O5 (r = 0.1476**). Similarly pH2.5 had significant relations with CaCO3 content (r = 0.4219**), ESP (r = 0.7308**) and P2O5 (r = 0.1943**). There was a highly significant correlation between SAR and ESP (r = 0.2390**) of soil. Almost half of the samples of water from cultivated fields are saline (EC > 2.25 dS m-1). The EC values were ranged between 0.4 and 12.0 with a mean value of 3.51 dS m-1. The waters are alkaline in reaction (mean pH value 7.82). The SAR values were ranged from 1.47 to 140.7 with a mean value of 14.5. Thus major constrains of the soils of Surendranagar district are low fertility of N, P, S and Zn and salinity of soils and waters. Low fertility problem confined to the talukas with light textured soils and salinity problem was severe in talukas with comparatively heavier textured soils.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC STUDIES ON YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS IN PEARL MILLET [ Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.](JAU,JUNAGADH, 2004-08) V.V.ANSODARIYA; Dr. C.J.DANGARIAInformation regarding heterosis and combining ability in respect of grain yield and yield components was obtained in the present investigation. The material for present study comprised of 10 diverse parents (inbreds) and their forty-five hybrids. They were evaluated in tho rainiomized block design, replicated three times at the Main Millet Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Jamnagar during kharif-2002. Observations were recorded on days to flowering, days to maturity, length of protogyny, plant height (cm), effective tiller per plant, ear head length (cm), ear head girth (cm), test weight (g), ear head weight (g), compactness(cm^), dry fodder yield per plant (g) and grain yield per plant (g). The data were analysed to estimate heterosis and combining ability for these traits. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes, parents and hybrids for all the characters. Parents Vs hybrids differed significantly for all the characters except number of effective tillers per plant, ear head girth, ear head weight and compactness, indicating the presence of conspicuous heterosis. The magnitude of heterosis varied from cross to cross for all the characters. Ear head weight and grain yield per plant exhibited the highest heterotic values, whereas, least heterosis was observed for days to flowering. Heterosis in grain yield was reflected through heterosis In plant height, ear head length, 1000-grain weight, ear head weight and dry fodder yield per plant. The crosses, J-2459 x IPC-1518, J-2459 x J- 2290 ?-d RHRBI-458 x IPC-1518 exhibited the highest heterotic effect and mean performance for grain yield. Combining ability analysis showed that general as well as specific combining ability was significant for all the characters. The predictability ratio, GCA : SCA variance, suggested predominant role of additive gene action for plant height, ear head length, ear head girth, lOOO-seed weight and compactness; non additive gene action for length of protogyny, ear head weight, dry fodder as well as grain yield per plant, while both were equally important for days to flowering, days to maturity and effective tillers per plant. The hybrids, RHRBI-458 x IPC-1518, J-2340 x IPC-1518, RHRBI- 458 X J-2459, RHRBI-458 x D-23 and J-2442 X J-2290 were the promising ones on the basis of SCA effect, per se performance, and heterosis, which could be exploited for improvement in grain yield and its components. The parents like RHRBI-458, J-2442, J-2459, IPC-1518 and D-23 could be used in hybridization programme to exploit their GCA effects for grain yield and some other important contributing traits. The hybrids viz., RHRBI-458 x D-23, RHRBI-458 x IPC-1518, RHRBI-458 x J-2459, J-2459 x IPC-1518 and J-2442 x IPC-1518 displayed high per se performance, high estimates of heterobeltiosis, high SCA and involves both the parents with high GCA effects. Such crosses have potential to throw desirable transgresants in the segregating material, which the breeder can handle through pedigree method for the development of high yielding inbred lines.ThesisItem Open Access “RESPONSE OF ZINC AND IRON ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF CAULIFLOWER (Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis Linn.) CV. SNOWBALL-16”.(JAU, JUNAGADH, 2004-08) C. O. Lashkari; Dr. A. N. MakwanaThe present investigation entitled “Response of zinc and iron on growth, yield and quality of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis Linn.) cv. Snowball-16” was conducted during Rabi season (November to March) of the year, 2002-2003 at Agronomy Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with four replications and nine treatment combinations, considering three levels of zinc (0.0, 0.5 & 1.0%) and three levels of iron (0.0, 0.5 & 1.0%) applied as foliar sprays at 30 and 60 days after transplanting. The treatment combinations were comprised as (1) Fe0Zn0 (control or water spray) (2) Fe0Zn1 (FeSO4 0.0% + ZnSO4 0.5%) (3) Fe0Zn2 (FeSO4 0.0% + ZnSO4 1.0%) (4) Fe1Zn0 (FeSO4 0.5% + ZnSO4 0.0%) (5) Fe1Zn1 (FeSO4 0.5% + ZnSO4 0.5%) (6) Fe1Zn2 (FeSO4 0.5% + ZnSO4 1.0%) (7) Fe2Zn0 (FeSO4 1.0% + ZnSO4 0.0%) (8) Fe2Zn1 (FeSO4 1.0% + ZnSO4 0.5%) (9) Fe2Zn2 (FeSO4 1.0% + ZnSO4 1.0%). Among different levels of zinc (0.0, 0.5 & 1.0%), Zn1 (ZnSO4 0.5%) significantly increased plant height (52.70 cm), number of leaves (37.94) leaf area (272.02 cm2), diameter of curd (15.56 cm), volume of curd (373.33 cm2), weight of curd per plant (504.99 gm), average weight of curd per plot (20.20 kg), curd yield (374.07 q/ha), marketable yield (337.03 q/ha), biological yield per plant (1.41 kg) and ascorbic acid content (65.36 mg/100gm) and also decreased the days taken for curd initiation (62.42 days) and curd maturity (87.58 days) over control while total soluble solids (7.00%) remained unaffected by the different levels of zinc (0.0, 0.5 & 1.0%) over control. Among different levels of iron (0.0, 0.5 & 1.0%), Fe1 (FeSO4 0.5%) significantly increased plant height (53.19 cm), number of leaves (38.63), leaf area (273.05 cm2), diameter of curd (15.64 cm), volume of curd (375.07 cm3), weight of curd per plant (507.64 gm), average weight of curd per plot (20.31 kg), curd yield (376.03 q/ha), marketable yield (338.99 q/ha) and ascorbic acid content (65.72 mg/100gm) and also decreased the days taken for curd initiation (62.58 days) and curd maturity (87.75 days) over control while biological yield (1.36 kg) and total soluble solids (7.20%) remained unaffected by the different levels of iron (0.0, 0.5 & 1.0%) over control. Among all the interactions of zinc and iron levels, Fe1Zn1 (FeSO4 0.5% + ZnSO4 0.5%) significantly obtained highest plant height (56.56 cm), number of leaves (41.97), leaf area (281.25 cm2), diameter of curd (16.58cm), volume of curd (390.87 cm3), weight of curd per plant (554.15gm), average weight of curd per plot (22.17 kg), curd yield (410.48q/ha), marketable yield (373.44 q/ha), biological yield per plant (1.44kg) and ascorbic acid content (74.50 mg/100gm) over control while curd initiation (58.25 days) and curd maturity (83.75 days) as well as total soluble solids (7.37 %) remained unaffected by all the interactions of zinc and iron levels over control. The economic point of view, Zn1 (ZnSO4 0.5%) obtained maximum marketable yield (337.03 q/ha) with net income (133283.66/- Rs/ha) along with net CBR (1:3.78) among different levels of zinc (0.0, 0.5 & 1.0%). While Fe1 (FeSO4 0.5%) obtained maximum marketable yield (338.99 q/ha) with net income (134268.33/- Rs/ha) along with net CBR (1:3.81) among different levels of iron (0.0, 0.5 & 1.0%). But the interaction Fe1Zn1 (FeSO4 0.5% + ZnSO4 0.5%) obtained highest marketable yield (373.44 q/ha) with highest net income (151490.00/- Rs/ha) along with highest net CBR (1:4.30) among all the interactions of zinc and iron levels followed by Fe1Zn2 (FeSO4 0.5% + ZnSO4 1.0%) 1:3.97 and Fe0Zn1 (FeSO4 0.0% + ZnSO4 0.5%) 1:3.80 over control (1:1.33). Thus, in order to obtain best growth, yield and quality along with highest net income and net CBR from cauliflower crop, the combine foliar application of FeSO4 0.5% + ZnSO4 0.5% at 30 and 60 days after transplanting was found most beneficial and economical.ThesisItem Open Access Optimum plot size for field experiments on tomato – A statistical investigation (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)(JAU, JUNAGADH, 2004-08) Naliyadara Chhaganlal M; Dr. S. M. UpadhyayUniformity trial on tomato (Variety: Gujarat tomato-1) was conducted during rabi season of the year 2003-04 at the Vegetable Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh. The fruit yield data of 1296 plots (basic unit 1.20 m x 0.90 m) were recorded and analysed to work out optimum size and shape of the plot using different approaches viz., maximum curvature method (Day, 1920), Fairfield Smith’s variance method (Smith, 1938), and comparable variance method (Keller, 1949). The size and shape of the block was determined, the relative efficiency of different experimental designs also compared and the effective number of replications for field experimentation were also worked out. The results revealed the followings. ( i ) The coefficient of variation (C.V.%) per unit area decreased with the increase in plot size. When this relationship expressed in equation form transforming variable plot size (x) to log scale, the predictability of coefficient of variation was high (R2 = 0.89). The rate of reduction in C.V.% was more with the increase in length of the plot than that with the increase in width of the plot. (i.e. number of rows) Nine units size plot 10.80 m x 0.9 m (a plot of 1 row each of 10.80 meter length) was found optimum for field experiments on tomato. (For convenience in agronomic practices the plot covering 3 rows each of 3.6 meter length can be taken as net plot) When the plots were arranged in the square or nearer to the square blocks, the efficiency of blocks were more as compared to the plots arranged in long and narrow strips The estimates of soil heterogeneity index, b, showed large variation from picking to picking indicating the need of in depth study on casual variables. For any given size of the plot, the block of size 9 plots had comparatively lower C.V.% as compare to other size of block, hence suggested that the block size influences the precision of the estimate. The block shape also influenced the precision. ( ii ) The Balanced Lattice design was comparatively more efficient than Randomized Block design for field experiments on tomato, followed by Simple Lattice design. Smaller plot was more efficient in controlling soil variation. They required minimum three replications to achieve 5 per cent accuracy in any of the block size. But the total area required by smaller plots was much than that by bigger plots. It is therefore better to have smaller plots with more replications. From the present investigation, following recomm-endations could be made for field experimentation/ survey on tomato crop (Variety: Gujarat tomato -1) to be studied under Saurashtra region. The optimum net plot size for field experiments should be 9.72 sq. m covering 3 rows (spaced 90 cm a part) each of 3.6 meter length. This is more suitable than other size and shape. Minimum three replications are necessary for field experiment having 9 units sized plot. The Balanced Lattice design was comparatively more efficient than Randomized Block design for field experiment on tomato.ThesisItem Open Access BIO-EFFICACY OF BIOPESTICIDES AGAINST Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) INFESTING PIGEONPEA(2004-09) KHANPARA, ALPESHKUMAR; KAPADIA, M. N.Investigations were carried out on “Bio-efficacy of biopesticides against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) infesting pigeonpea” during the years 2002 and 2003 at the College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Junagadh. The salient findings of the research are as follows. Considering the effectiveness and economics of different treatments Bt @ 1.0 kg/ha + endosulfan 0.035 per cent and Bb @ 1.5 Kg/ha + endosulfan 0.035 per cent per cent were found as effective as the recommended synthetic insecticides (endosulfan 0.07 %) for the ecofriendly management of H. armigera in pigeonpea, when they were applied twice first at 50 per cent flowering and second at 50 per cent pod formation. The treatments of Bt @ 2.0 kg/ha and Bb @ 3.0 kg/ha alone were found to be next effective ones. The results of the laboratory bioassays confirmed the results regarding field efficacy of biopesticides alone and in combination with insecticides against H. armigera. The mortality of Helicoverpa larvae due to B. bassiana @ 2.0 g/lit showed a consistent decrease in all the six instars. Early instars larvae were found the most susceptible as compared to later instars. The cumulative (larva + pupa + adult) moratality in all the sixth instars ranged from 62.56 to 97.50 per cent with an average of 84.12 per cent. The persistence of B. thuringiensis @ 2.0 kg/ha became half within 3 days and caused the mortality in H. armigera larvae up to 7 days. The persistence of B. bassiana @ 3.0 kg/ha became half within 3 days and caused the mortality in H. armigera larvae up to 11 days. At higher dose of Bt i.e. 2.0 kg/ha had an adverse effect on larval feeding and oviposition of H. armigera. The topical spraying of B. bassiana @ 3.0 g/lit caused low pupation of Helicoverpa larvae and highest per cent deformed adults in post-larval development of H. armigera. During post-pupal development of Helicoverpa highest per cent deformed adults was recorded when B. bassiana @ 3.0 g/lit was applied through irrigation method. Thus, both the application methods (spraying and irrigation) of Bb proved to be equally effective in affecting the post-development of Helicoverpa larvae. The addition of sticker viz., Velvet 0.1 per cent was found the most effective to enhance the effectiveness of biopesticides. The neem extract viz., NSKE 5 per cent increased the potentiability of biopesticides when it was mixed.ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON READING BEHAVIOUR, READERSHIP PATTERN AND EXTENT OF UTILIZATION OF FARM LITERATURE BY THE FARM WOMEN OF JUNAGADH DISTRICT(JAU, JUNAGADH, 2004-09) M.C. Dhaduk; Dr. B.R. KarkarFarm women are the unsung heroines, born to die in the backyard of human civilization on the burden of humanity. They work shoulder to shoulder with men folk in the fields in scorching sun and under torrential rain. In modern agriculture, too there is hardly and activity in agriculture except ploughing where women are not involved. In some of the activities she is relatively rather more efficient than men. Once she moves, the family moves, the village moves and ultimately the nation moves. She is main architect of change in the farming. About 70 per cent of agriculture operations are performed by farm women. Farm women need to inform about new agricultural technology tools and modern implements, which can increase productivity and reduce physical strain. Women are great communicators, this unique ability of women need to be utilized in dissemination of appropriate technologies in agriculture. Today mass media play a significant role in communicating farm messages. Among the mass media, printed farm literature plays an eually important role in the agricultural development. The written word has power. If written well, it convinces and motivates farm women to action. The printed materials have unique advantage of permanency. Farm women vary in their purpose of reading, period of reading, their attitude towards farm literature etc. Many factors are influcing the reading behaviour and utilization of the farm literature. Farm literature i.e. ‘Pak Sanrakshan’ and ‘Pragatishil Kheti’ published by Sardar Smruti Kendra, Junagadh and circulated to trainee farm women, were selected to study the reading behaviour, readership pattern and the extent of utilization of agricultural information published in farm literature by the farm women readers with the following objectives: 1) To study the selected personal and socio-economic characteristics of the farm women readers of the farm literature 2) To study the reading behaviour of the farm women readers 3) To find out the readers' preferences regarding the content of the farm literature 4) To assess the extent of utilization of agricultural information by the farm women readers 5) To know the readership pattern of the farm literature 6) To ascertain the association between reading behaviour of the farm women readers and their personal and socio-economic characteristics 7) To ascertain the association between the extent of utilization of agricultural information by the farm women readers and their personal and socio-economic characteristics 8) To seek suggestions from the farm women readers to make the farm literature more effective and popular The theoretical orientation was developed for the study on the basis of reviewed literature, having direct and indirect bearing on the present problem. Based on the assumptions, the tentative paradigm was laid down. Taking the help of theoretical orientation the new hypothesis was formulated. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a sample of 100 farm women of nine villages from 7 talukas of Junagadh district were drawn by the purposive sampling technique. In order to measure reading behaviour teacher made scale was used. For measuring readership pattern and extent of utilization suitable scales and procedure adopted by other researchers were used. Based on past researches and discussion with extension expert, the independent variables were selected. The responses were collected with the help of structural interview schedule by personal interview. The data were analyzed and interpreted in the light of specific objectives. The various statistical measures like percentage, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, ‘t’ test, correlation co-efficient ‘r’ were used. Major findings 1) More than one third (44.00 per cent) of the farm women readers were from young age group. 2) Less than one half (4.00 per cent) of the farm women readers were educated up to secondary level of education. 3) Majority (75.00 per cent) of the farm women readers had farming as their main occupation. 4) Less than one half (42.00 per cent) of the farm women readers had small size of land holding. 5) Nearly three fourth (74.00 per cent) of the farm women readers had utilized well as source of irrigation. 6) Majority (78.00 per cent) of the farm women readers belonged to joint family. 7) Majority (80.00 per cent) of the farm women readers came from large size of family. 8) Nearly three fifth (57.00 per cent) of the farm women readers had one pair of bullock. 9) Nearly one half (49.00 per cent) of the farm women readers were found in medium income level group. 10) More than one half (53.00 per cent) of the farm women readers had medium level of social participation. 11) About two third (65.00 per cent) of the farm women readers had medium level participation in various extension activities. 12) Nearly three fifth (57.00 per cent) of the farm women readers had used radio as their high tech communication. 13) Majority of decisions were taken by male member followed by joint decisions and female member. 14) More than one half (56.00 per cent) of elder members of the farm women readers educate up to secondary level of education. 15) A great majority (94.00 per cent) of the farm women readers read farm literature to gain knowledge. 16) Majority (90.00 per cent) of the farm women readers had habit of discussing agricultural information with other persons. 17) Nearly half (49.00 per cent) of the farm women readers spend weekly one hour or less time for reading the farm literature. 18) About three fourth (78.00 per cent) of the farm women readers read the farm literature according to their convenience of time. 19) A great majority (96.00 per cent) of the farm women readers had no habit of noting the useful agricultural information. 20) More than half (58.00 per cent) of the farm women readers were in the category of medium level of reading behaviour. 21) Readers preferred to read more about value addition process (ranked I), preservation of fruits and vegetables (ranked II), identification of crop pest and damaging stage (ranked III), care of milch animals (ranked IV), seed production technology (ranked V), feeding management of cattle (ranked VI), identification of beneficial insects (ranked VII), integrated pest and disease management (ranked VIII), pest control (ranked IX), identification of crop diseases and damaging stage (ranked X), beneficial schemes of horticulture (ranked XI), beneficial schemes of agriculture (ranked XII), effective use of pesticides in crop protection (ranked XIII), green house technology (ranked XIV), improved agricultural practices (ranked XV), disease control (ranked XVI), integrated nutrient management in soil (ranked XVII), water harvesting and its conservation (ranked XVIII), improved crop variety (ranked XIX), and available sources of farm literature (ranked XX). 22) Agricultural information published in the farm literature helps in providing information in plant protection measures (ranked I), care of milch animals (ranked II), preservation of fruits and vegetables (ranked III), developing scientific attitude towards agriculture or adopting new farm implement (ranked IV), identification of beneficial insects (ranked V), it helps in solving farm problems (ranked VI), beneficial schemes of horticulture (ranked VII), beneficial schemes of agriculture (ranked VIII), enriching knowledge about new agricultural information (ranked IX), water harvesting and its conservation (ranked X), developing commercial outlook towards agriculture (ranked XI) and creating interest in our profession (ranked XII). 23) Majority (75.00 per cent) of the farm women readers had medium level of utilization of agricultural information. 24) In readership pattern lookout to the photographs and pictures (ranked I), read articles with important points in them (ranked I), read interesting articles first (ranked III) read contents (ranked IV), read editorial column (ranked V). 25) More than half (57.00 per cent) of the farm women readers read some part of literature. 26) There was a positive and significant association between reading behaviour of farm women readers and their selected characteristics viz; education, social participation and extension participation. 27) Age had negative and significant association with reading behaviour while land holding, irrigation facility and size of family had negative and non significant association with reading behaviour. 28) In case of occupation type of family, farm power, annual income, high tech communication, decision making and elders' education positive non significant association was observed with reading behaviour. 29) Education had positive while age has negative and significant association with extent of utilization of agricultural information. 30) There was a positive and non significant association between extent of utilization of agricultural information by farm women readers and their selected characteristics viz; occupation, irrigation facility, type of family, farm power, annual income, social participation, extension participation, high tech communication, decision making and elders' education but land holding and size of family had negative non significant association with extent of utilization of agricultural information. 31) Important suggestions made by the farm women readers to make farm literature more effective and popular, were more illustrations and photographs relevant to the topic should be given, simple and local language should be used, due coverage should be given to literature on home science, big size letters should be used and simplified information about doses of different chemicals should be given.ThesisItem Open Access CHARACTERIZATION OF SOIL PHYSICAL CONDITIONS UNDER INTENSIVE CROPPING WITH LONG TERM ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZATION(JAU, JUNAGADH, 2004-09) K. P. Trapasiya; Dr. N. M. ZalawadiaIn order to study the long term (24 yrs) effect of application of FYM every three years and fertilizer to each season of crops on soil physical properties like bulk density, particle density, expansion, hydraulic conductivity, infiltration rate, soil aggregate and moisture retention capacity and chemical properties like EC, pH and organic carbon of clayey soil under intensive cropping system (Groundnut-Wheat-Sorghum fodder). A replicated field experiment was conducted to start in 1979 in medium black calcareous clayey soil (Vertic Ustochrepts) of the Instructional farm, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh Campus, Junagadh. The treatment consist of soil application of FYM @ 25 t ha-1 at every three year in three treatments (T2, T3 and T4) and half NP (T5), half NP + K (T6) and full NP (T7), full NP + K (T8) treatments from chemical fertilizer and control (T1) (no FYM and fertilizer). For this study, soil samples were collected in 2003 at 0-15 cm (D1) and 15-30 cm (D2) in each plot after harvesting of sorghum fodder crop. The result of present investigation revealed that application of FYM @ 25 t ha-1 significantly reduced bulk density of soil. Due to addition of FYM @ 25 t ha-1 and fertilizer increased significantly expansion, porosity and organic carbon content in soil. It also significantly improved per cent soil aggregate (>1 mm). While, the per cent soil aggregate (0.5-1 mm) significantly decreased with application of FYM. The infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity significantly increased with application of FYM and fertilizer. The moisture retained at 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 MPa significantly increased with application of FYM and fertilizer. In all the case, with the increase in tension, there was decrease in the moisture held. The application of FYM and fertilizer significantly increased salt content in soil. But, the values of soil reaction decreased significantly. The values of porosity, expansion, per cent aggregate (0.5-1mm), hydraulic conductivity, pH and EC were significantly higher in surface soil (0-15 cm) as compared to subsurface soil (15-30 cm). The significant interaction effect of depth and treatment (D x T) was observed in case of bulk density, particle density, porosity, expansion, soil aggregation, hydraulic conductivity, soil reaction and organic carbon content in soil. The interaction effect of D x T on moisture retention capacity was also significant at 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.5 MPa. The combined effect of K x NP was found significant on soil reaction, porosity and particle density in soil. The maximum positive effect on these parameters were recorded with half recommended dose of NP without K application treatment combination. The correlation study showed that the bulk density, porosity and infiltration rate with yield of wheat and sorghum crop had highly significant positive relationship. While, pod and haulm yield of groundnut with these parameters showed negative and non significant relationship. The correlation between grain and straw yield of wheat and fodder yield of sorghum crop with moisture retained at different suctions (0.03, 0.3, 1.0 and 1.5 MPa) was found to be very highly significant at 1 per cent level. To evaluate the changes in soil characteristics with long term (24 yrs) under intensive cropping system over initial status of soil indicated that moisture retention capacity (14.41 per cent), porosity (14.0 per cent), soil aggregation (13.98 per cent) and infiltration rate (18.36 per cent) increased due to improved organic carbon content (28.30 per cent) in soil under manured and fertilizer treatments. Again balance fertilizer (Full NP + K) produced favourable soil physical and water transmission properties of soils over their initial values.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF TILLAGE AND MULCHING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF PIGEONPEA (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.)(JAU, JUNAGADH, 2004-09) H. D. Vadi; Dr. N. A. KachotA field experiment entitled “Effect of tillage and mulching on growth and yield of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.)” was carried out on clayey soil of Instructional Farm, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during kharif 2003. Twenty treatment combinations were evaluated in strip plot design with four replications. The treatments comprised of 4 tillage methods (T1 = conventional tillage, T2 = 15 cm ploughing in row by bullock plough, T3 = 30 cm ploughing in row by tractor plough and T4 = 30 cm ploughing by tractor plough) and 5 mulches (M0 = no mulch, M1 = soil mulch, M2 = wheat straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1, M3 = groundnut shell mulch @ 10 t ha-1 and M4 = castor shell mulch @ 10 t ha -1). The experimental results revealed that tillage of 30 cm ploughing by tractor plough significantly improved the growth parameters viz. plant height, number of branches per plant, number of root nodules per plant, root dry matter per plant and enhanced maturity periods, that did not differ statistically from 30 cm ploughing in row by tractor plough. However, plant spread was significantly more with 30 cm ploughing in row by tractor plough and remained statistically at par with 30 cm ploughing by tractor plough. While yield attributes like number of matured pods per plant, number of grains per pod, grain yield per plant and 100 seed weight were significantly higher with 30 cm ploughing by tractor plough than conventional tillage and 15 cm ploughing in row by bullock plough. Protein content was not significantly affected by tillage treatments. While 30 cm ploughing by tractor plough resulted in numerically higher soil moisture content at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depth, lower bulk density was observed with 30 cm ploughing by tractor plough. The highest grain and straw yields were registered with the 30 cm ploughing by tractor plough. The significantly higher gross return of Rs 21957 ha-1 and net return of Rs 13444 ha-1 were also observed in this treatment and they were statistically at par with 30 cm ploughing in row by tractor plough. Mulching with wheat straw @ 5 t ha-1 followed by groundnut shell mulch @ 10 t ha-1 resulted in significantly higher plant height, plant spread, number of branches per plant, number of root nodules per plant, maturity days and root dry matter per plant, and higher yield attributes such as number of matured pods per plant, number of grains per pod, grain yield per plant and 100 seed weight and grain and straw yield over no mulch. Higher soil moisture content was recorded with wheat straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1 followed by groundnut shell mulch @ 10 t ha-1 over no mulch. Similarly, both mulches registered lower bulk density and higher seed protein content over no mulch. The highest gross return of Rs 22215 ha-1 and net return of Rs 13750 ha-1 were registered with the application of wheat straw mulch @ 5 t ha-1, closely followed by groundnut shell mulch @ 10 t ha-1 in case of gross return. Based on the results of this one year’s experimentation, it could be concluded that the higher production with higher gross and net realization from kharif pigeonpea can be obtained by adopting 30 cm ploughing by tractor plough and applying wheat straw @ 5 t ha-1 as mulch in clayey soils of South Saurashtra Agro- Climatic region of Gujarat.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON HETEROSIS, COMBINING ABILITY AND GENE ACTION USING L X T ANALYSIS IN PEARL MILLET [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.](JAU, JUNAGADH, 2004-09) DAVDA BHARATKUMAR KANJIBHAI; Dr. C. J. DangariaAn investigation was carried out with a view to estimate the nature and magnitude of heterosis, combining ability and gene action for grain yield and its attributes through line x tester mating design involving 8 females and 10 pollinators. The resultant 80 cross combinations along with their parents and two checks viz GHB - 558 and MH -169 were evaluated at Main Millet Research Station J.A.U. Jamnagar during Kharif 2002 in a randomized block design with three replication. The mean squares due to genotypes, parents and hybrids were found highly significant, revealing the presence of sufficient variability in the experimental material. The highly significant mean squares due to parents vs. Hybrids for all the characters except length of protogyny, ear head girth and number of effective tillers per plant, suggested the existence of conspicuous heterosis. The magnitude of heterosis varied from cross to cross for all the characters. The high level of heterosis was observed for grain yield, fodder yield, ear head weight per plant, earhead length, number of effective tillers per plant, number of nodes per plant, plant height and harvest index, while least heterosis was found for days to maturity and length of protogyny. Days to 50% flowering, earhead girth, 1000 seed weight and threshing index exhibited moderate heterosis. The number of crosses showing heterobeltiosis in grain yield were large with very high magnitude, although the number of cross combinations displaying heterobletiosis in various yield attributing characters were small with comparatively low magnitude revealing there by the suitable combinations of yield attributes resulting in more favourable complementation and mutual compensation for manifesting grain yield. Combining ability analysis revealed importance of both additive and non-additive types of gene action. However, high sca/gca ratio for grain yield, fodder yield, earhead weight, number of effective tillers per plant, length of protogyny and threshing index suggested the predominant role of non additive gene action in the inheritance of these characters, which favoured a hybrid breeding programme. Preponderance of additive gene effect was found for days to 50% flowering, number of nodes per plant, plant height, earhead length, earhead girth and harvest index while equal prevalence of both for days to maturity and 1000 seed weight. The estimates of GCA suggested that none of the parents was found to be good general combiner for all the characters. Female parent ICMA- 98333 and male parents IPC -1518 and J-2290 are identified as the best general combiners, by virtue of very good general combining ability for grain yield along with a minimum of eight yield attributes. They may be further exploited for future pearl millet improvement programme. Seven most promising hybrids were identified for grain yield based on magnitude of standard heterosis over check–GHB-558. The cross combination ICMA-98333 x IPC-1518 accomplished the top rank followed by JMSA-2005 x IPC-1501, ICMA-00777 x IPC-1518, ICMA-98777 x J-2290 , ICMA-98333 x J-2290, JMSA-20021 x J-2290 and ICMA-00777 x J-2290 respectively. All the above mentioned most heterotic hybrids exhibited positive heterobeltiosis and good SCA effects for grain yield except the hybrid ICMA-98333 x J-2290 having average SCA effects but involving both parents with high per se performance and good GCA effect. Further, the top seven specific cross combinations exhibited significant positive heterobeltiosis and good per se performance. This indicated an association among heterosis, combining ability and per se performance to some extent suggesting there by the consideration of all the three aspects in selecting superior cross combination.ThesisItem Open Access LINE X TESTER ANALYSIS IN BREAD WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.)(JAU, JUNAGADH, 2004-09) L. G. Vanpariya; Dr. V. P. ChovatiaHeterosis, combining ability and gene action in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were studied under timely sown condition using line X tester (10 lines X 4 testers) design at Wheat Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, during Rabi 2002. Observations were recorded on five randomly selected plants per treatment in each replication for grain yield per plant, days to heading, plant height, effective tillers per plant, length of main spike, spikelets per spike, peduncle length of main spike, days to maturity, number of grains per spike, 100-grain weight, grain yield per spike and harvest index. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among all the parents as well as crosses for all the characters studied. Variances due to parents Vs hybrids were also significant for all the characters except for plant height and 100-grain weight. The magnitude of heterosis was higher for grain yield per plant, effective tillers per plant, length of main spike, spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, grain yield per spike and harvest index, moderate for peduncle length of main spike and 100-grain weight and lower for days to heading, plant height and days to maturity. The crosses K-8565 X Lok-1, PBW-316 X Lok-1, DL-803-3 X GW-173, CPAN-1933 X Lok-1, DL-803-3 X GW-190, GW-326 X GW-190, GW-273 X GW-190, GW-326 X Lok-1, K-8565 X GW-190, WexBbinia X GW-496 and GW-326 X GW-496 exhibited exploitable heterosis for grain yield and its components. Variances due to females, males and females X males were significant for all the characters except for grain yield per spike and harvest index, when tested against error mean squares. Mean squares due to females and males were significant for days to heading, plant height, length of main spike, spikelets per spike and peduncle length when tested against females X males interaction mean squares; while mean squares due to females and males were non-significant for grain yield per plant, number of tillers per plant, days to maturity and number of grains per spike, and only females and only males were significant for grain yield per spike and 100-grain weight, respectively. These indicated the involvement of additive as well as non-additive type of gene actions in the inheritance of these characters. The ratio (2sca / 2gca) suggested preponderance of non-additive gene action for grain yield per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, days to maturity, number of grains per spike, 100-grain weight, grain yield per spike and harvest index, and additive gene action for rest of the characters. The best general combiners for various characters were DL-803-3 and PBW-316 for grain yield per plant, GW-326 for days to heading, CPAN-1933 for plant height, DL-803-3 for effective tillers per plant, GW-190 for length of main spike and spikelets per spike, CPAN-1933 for peduncle length of main spike, GW-326 for days to maturity, WexBbinia for number of grains per spike, Lok-1 for 100-grain weight and K-8565 for grain yield per spike. The best combinations were WexBbinia X GW-173 for grain yield per plant and effective tillers per plant, DWR-202 X GW-173 for days to heading, DL-803-3 X GW-173 for plant height, K-8565 X Lok-1 for length of main spike, spikelets per spike and grain yield per plant, K-8565 X GW-190 for peduncle length of main spike, DL-803-3 X GW-190 for days to maturity, GW-326 X GW-496 for number of grains per spike and harvest index and PBW-316 X Lok-1 for 100-grain weight. On the basis of combining ability and heterosis, the parents viz., K-8565, CPAN-1933, GW-326, WexBbinia, GW-190 and Lok-1 and hybrids viz., K-8565 X Lok-1 and WexBbinia X GW-173 found to offered the best possibilities of their further exploitation for developing the high yielding varieties of bread wheat. The present study revealed that both additive and non-additive components were important for inheritance of different characters, hence reciprocal recurrent selection would be the most appropriate breeding methodology, which can exploit both additive and non-additive gene actions so that designed genes could be fixed.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON ROOT ROT OF OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) CAUSED BY Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. AND ITS MANAGEMENT(JAU, JUNAGADH, 2004-10) H. R. Vala; Dr. A. M. ParakhiaOkra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is an important vegetable crop, which was found to be suffering from root rot disease in moderate form in Visavadar taluka of Junagadh district, Gujarat state. (India) Isolation of diseased root portion on potato dextrose agar medium yielded a species of Fusarium. The Koch’s postulates were successfully proved by standard method. Based on morphological as well as pathogenicity test the fungus was identified as Fusarium solani. (Mart.) Sacc. F. solani was found to be external as well as internal seed borne in nature. Fungus was able to infect cotton, chilli, brinjal, bean and cowpea. Among the medias tested, Czapek’s medium was the best in either solid or liquid form for growth and sporulation of the fungus and hence was selected as the basal medium for further studies. Among the different systemic fungicides tested, carbendazim and propiconazole were found to be effective in inhibiting the radial growth as well as sporulation of the fungus and gave 95.75 and 87.59 percent inhibition, respectively. Among non systemic fungicides, thiram was most effective in inhibiting the growth (87.96 percent) as well as sporulation of the fungus followed by chlorothalonil (86.94 percent). While evaluating the various weedicides oxyfluorfen was observed effective in inhibiting the growth and sporulation and gave 77.25 percent inhibition. The minimum inhibition was observed in 2-4-D, (sodium salt) with an average of 31.25 percent. In the study of different nematicides the maximum growth and sporulation inhibition (68.95 percent) was observed in treatment of sebufos followed by dazomate with 44.10 percent. In evaluation of different insecticides prophanophose proved effective in reducing growth and sporulation and gave 94.35 percent inhibition, followed by monocrotophose and dicofol having 93.57 percent and 92.78 percent inhibition respectively. Cruiser was least effective (51.02 percent). In laboratory screening of bio-agents Trichoderma harzianum isolate I was observed to be a strong fungal antagonist by reducing the maximum growth (63.88 percent), followed by T. viride isolate I with (60.77 percent) growth reduction. Among the extract of various organic cakes used extract of mustard cake most significantly inhibited growth (49.26 percent), followed by extract of groundnut cake with 35.19 per cent inhibition In integrated disease control, soil application of mustard cake with carbendazim (0.1 %) and T. harzianum (20gm/pot) gave 83.33 per cent diseased control.