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ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Cultural And Nitrogen Management in Wheat in Rice-Wheat Sequence(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 1986) U. N. Verma; U. K. VermaStudies on cultural and nitrogen management in wheat in rice-wheat sequence were made in two sets of experiments conducted at Birsa Agricultural University Farm, Kanke, Ranchi. The first set of experiments was conducted in split plot design replicated three times during rabi seasons of 1982-83 and 1983 84. Treatment combinations consisted of two conditions of tillage (zero and optimum tillage) and four levels of nitrogen (25, 50, 75 and 100 kg ha) in main plot and four times of nitrogen application (all basal, 1/2 basal + 1/2 at CRI, 1/2 basal + 1/2 at boot and 1/3 basal + 1/3 at CRI + 1/3 at boot) in sub plot. The second set of experiment was conducted in a factorial randomi seed block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of combination of two tillage conditions (zero and optimum tillage) and three methods of weed control (unweeded check, two hand hoeings at 15 and 30 days after sowing and post-emergence application of 2,4-D at the rate of 1 kg a.e. ha). Wheat variety tested was Sonalika. The soil of the experimental plot was loam to silt loam in texture, medium in fertility and acidic reaction. Ploughing reduced bulk density and organic carbon content of soil but it had no effect on germination and seed ling establishment of wheat. Number of weeds m -2 was higher under optimum tilled plots but dry weight of weeds was greater under zero tillage. Untilled plots showed comparatively lower dry weight of roots at maximum tillering stage, however, the difference was gradually reduced at flowering. But for number of effective tillers no other yield attribute was markedly affected by Variation in tillage condition. Grain yields from optimum tilted plots were only 7 to 10 per cent more than that from the zero tilled plots (direct drilling of wheat in between two rows of rice stubbles). Energy use efficiency (BUB), grain energy productivity (g wheat MJ1) and benefit cost ratio on the other hand, were greater under zero tillage condition. Consumptive water use was higher under optimum tilled plots than under zero tilled plots. Consumptive use rate , increased from seedling to boot stage and then declined gradually during maturity. Crop responded well to nitrogen application up to 100 kg ha. Best indices of yield attributes, higher grain and straw yields, better uptake of nitrogen, higher EUS, energy productivity, net profit and benefit cost ratio were obtained when 50 per cent nitrogen was applied basal and 50 per cent at CRI stage. Late application of nitrogen at boot stage increased the test weight of thousand grains and protein con tent of grain .ThesisItem Open Access LONG TERM EFFECT OF INM ON NUTRIENT UTILIZATION AND SOIL ORGANIC CARBON STORAGE UNDER MAIZE-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Jaya Bharti; R.P. ManjhiMaize (Zea mays L.) - Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the third most important cropping system in India and is practiced on 1.8 million ha. It is also prevalent cropping system adopted in uplands of Jharkhand. Most of the farmers use only urea (N fertilizers) for crop cultivation and this fertilizer use pattern results in multiple nutrient deficiencies as well as promotes soil bankruptcy. Therefore, it is needed to maintain long term soil health and crop productivity in intensive cropping system through integrated use of nutrient sources. The present investigation was carried out during two consecutive years of 2020-21 and 2021-22 under the ongoing permanent manurial trial with the different nutrient management practices (inorganic & integrated nutrient management) under maize-wheat cropping system since 1983-84 at Birsa Agricultural University Farm, Kanke, Ranchi with the major objectives to study the sustainable crop productivity, energetic, economics, nutrient utilization, soil organic carbon storage of the maize-wheat cropping system. Experiment was laid out in RBD with 12 treatments replicated thrice. RDF for both component crop was @ 100:50:25 N: P2O5: K2O kg/ha. Crop varieties of maize (kharif) and wheat (rabi) were Suwan Composite 1 and K9107, respectively. Treatment details in maize-wheat cropping system were T1 : N0P0K0 - N0P0K0; T2 : 50% RDF -50% RDF; T3 : 50 % RDF -100% RDF; T4 : 75% RDF -75% RDF; T5 : 100% RDF -100% RDF; T6 : 50%N through FYM+ 50% RDF -100% RDF; T7 :25%N through FYM+ 75% RDF -75% RDF; T8 : 50%N through cut paddy straw+ 50% RDF -100% RDF; T9 : 25%N through cut paddy straw+ 75% RDF -75% RDF; T10 : 50%N through green Karanj leaves + 50% RDF -100% RDF; T11 : 25%N through green Karanj leaves + 75% RDF -75% RDF and T12 : Farmer’s Practice– urea @ 50kg /ha. Results reflected that INM treatment i.e. 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi produced maximum grain yield (4692 and 4796 kg/ha of maize and wheat, respectively) which were at par with application @ 25%N through FYM along with 75% RDF in kharif - only 75% RDF in rabi (4504 and 4553 kg/ha of maize and wheat, respectively) and 100% RDF use in each season. Yield attributing characters in maize namely, no. of grains/line (31.47), no. of grains/cob (394) and 1000 grain weight (331.24 g) and in wheat namely, effective tillers /m2 (362), no of grains/ear head (46), and 1000 grain weight (40.99 g) were maximum with the application of 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi. In system, maximum maize equivalent yield (9720 kg/ha), net return (₹. 127726.00) and B:C ratio (1.57) was recorded with the application of 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi which was statistically at par with the application of 25%N through FYM along with 75% RDF in kharif and 75% RDF in rabi (9277 kg/ha, ₹. 121887.00) & B:C ratio (1.55). Nutrient removal by the system was 188, 34 and 137 kg/ha for N, P and K and 6052, 1402 and 451 g/ha for Fe, Mn and Zn respectively with the application of 50% N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi. Translocation efficiency for N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Zn varied between 56-66%, 58-62%, 16- 21%, 12-19%, 37-46%, 40-48% in maize and 43-61%, 49-64%, 20-27%, 9-16%, 25-42%, 30-45% respectively in wheat. Internal utilization efficiency calculated based on grain yield and total nutrient uptake varied between 50 to 63, 257-308, 59-74 for N, P, K and 1.14- 1.63, 5.88-7.27, 19.26-22.42 for Fe, Mn and Zn respectively for maize-wheat cropping system. Application of 1 kg N, P and K will produce 50.88, 276.01 and 69.99 kg grain. Similarly, by application of 1 kg of Fe, Mn and Zn can produce 16q, 70q and 22 q of grain under maize-wheat cropping system. The values of maximum energy output (141331 and 245642 MJ/ha by grain and total biomass), energy-use-efficiency (739 and 1287 by grain and total biomass, respectively) and minimum value of specific energy (201.98 MJ/ton) was recorded with INM use i.e. 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi. Maximum soil organic carbon storage (12.38 Mg/ha) was observed with the application of 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi which was statistically at par with the application of 25%N through FYM along with 75% RDF in kharif - only 75% RDF in rabi (11.69 Mg/ha). Analysis of soil for physical and chemical properties of soil revealed that application of 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi improved soil pH (6.5), organic carbon (6.3 g/kg), available N (276.6 kg/ha), available P (92.8 kg/ha), available K (177.7 kg/ha), DTPA extractable Fe (19.6 ppm), Mn (17.9 ppm) and Zn (3.7 ppm) as compared to initial value of 6.5, 4.1, 255, 32.50, 195, 11.13, 18.65 and 3.85 respectively. Sustainability of maize-wheat cropping system was analyzed after 39th years (1983-2022) in continuous use of inorganic fertilizer and INM practices. INM practice @ 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi produced the highest Sustainable Yield Index (0.50) of the system. Further, data revealed that maximum (maize & wheat) yield was recorded by use of chemical fertilizer @100% RDF (each season) in initial 4 years. Thereafter for 12 years, INM use @ 25%N through FYM+ 75% RDF in kharif and 75% RDF in rabi yielded the maximum. But for the last 23 years (1999-2022), INM use @ 50%N through FYM along with 50% RDF in kharif - 100% RDF in rabi continued to produce the maximum (maize & wheat) yield.ThesisItem Open Access TILLAGE AND ORGANIC NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN FINGER MILLET – FRENCH BEAN CROPPING SYSTEM(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Sulochna; P. AlamThe growing population, consumption, and reduction in available land and other productive units are placing unprecedented pressure on the current agriculture and natural resources to meet the increasing food demand. Providing food for human under sustainable systems having a significant challenge in the developing world and is highly critical for alleviating poverty. To circumvent this challenge, farmers tended to overuse certain inputs such as chemical and practicing agricultural operation which in turn have already started deteriorating soil-plant-microbes environmental system. Nowadays, the most important challenge facing humanity is to conserve/sustain natural resources and also protecting the environment. In this regard, agricultural practices like tillage operations for conserving soil as well as using organic sources that improve soil quality and agricultural sustainability have received much attention by researchers and farmers. Moreover, the productivity of finger millet and french bean is very low in Jharkhand in comparison to national average. So, there is a scope to obtain higher yield levels by growing finger millet- french bean cropping system. Keeping these points in mind, an investigation entitled, “Tillage with organic nutrient management in finger millet-french bean cropping system” has been planned to carry out at Agronomical Research Farm, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand. A field experiment was conducted in split plot design with 4 main plots treatments, viz. CT-CT, CT-ZT, ZT-CT and ZT-ZT and 4 sub plots treatments, viz. 100% N through FYM, 100% N through VC, 50% N through FYM + 50% N through VC and 75% N through FYM + 25% N through VC. RDN for finger millet and french bean are 40 & 140 kg N/ha respectively. Crop varieties grown for finger millet (kharif) was BBM 10 and for french bean (rabi) was Swarna Priya. Results illustrated that growth parameters, yield attributes, yield and economics of finger millet were significantly influenced by different tillage practices and organic nutrient management. In finger millet, conventional tillage recorded maximum plant population/m2 at 15 DAS (32.18), no of tillers/m2 at harvest (121.15), LAI (2.65) at 90 DAS, dry matter accumulation/m2 (865.61 g/m2) at harvest, CGR (9.47 g/m2/day) at 90 DAS-maturity, yield attributes namely; effective tillers/m2 (112.96), number of fingers per ear (6.66), ear weight (6.59 g), 1000 grain weight (3.19 g), number of grains per ear (1085.26), grain yield (23.90 q/ha) and straw yield (38.85 q/ha), harvest index (37.92%), gross return (71263.26 ₹/ha), net return (33588.56 ₹/ha) production efficiency (19.20 kg/ha/day) and monetary efficiency (269.84 ₹/ha/day). While, B:C ratio (0.92) was maximum with zero tillage operation. Among, organic nutrient management 100% N through vermicompost reported highest plant population/m2 at 15 DAS (32.67), no of tillers/m2 at harvest (121.37), LAI (2.67) at 90 DAS, dry matter accumulation/m2 (873.36 g/m2) at harvest and CGR (9.67 g/m2/day) at 90 DAS-maturity, effective tillers/m2 (113.12), number of fingers/ear (6.76), ear weight (6.61 g), 1000 grain weight (3.24 g), number of grains per ear (1094.19), grain yield (24.25 q/ha), straw yield (38.93 q/ha), harvest index (38.32%), gross return (72270.41 ₹/ha), net return (33636.33 ₹/ha) production efficiency (19.48 kg/ha/day) and monetary efficiency (270.23 ₹/ha/day). But, B:C ratio (0.93) was maximum with 75% N through FYM + 25% N through VC. Likewise in case of french bean pod length (11.60 cm), no of pods/plant (10.34), pod fresh wt. (4.91 g), no of seeds/pod (6.84), 100 seed wt. (40.56 g), green pod yield (82.87 q/ha), haulm yield (102.04 q/ha), harvest index 44.71%), gross return (248602.50 ₹/ha), net return (154337.89 ₹/ha), production efficiency (85.44 kg/ha/day) and monetary efficiency (1591.40 ₹/ha/day) were found maximum with conventional tillage. In case of B:C ratio zero tillage reflected the highest value (1.72). The data in respect of organic nutrient management were found highest with 100% N through VC in pod length (11.62 cm), no of pods/plant (10.62), pod fresh wt. (5.00 g), no of seeds/pod (6.88), 100 seed wt. (40.69 g), green pod yield (88.91 q/ha), haulm yield (104.28 q/ha), harvest index 45.99%), gross return (₹/ha 266717.50), net return (₹/ha 163061.82), production efficiency (91.67 kg/ha/day) and monetary efficiency (1681.43 ₹/ha/day). 75% N through FYM + 25% N through VC resulted in higher B:C ratio (1.69). In system analysis of finger millet-french bean cropping system, conventional tillage – conventional tillage performed best with increased system gross return (319865.76 ₹/ha) and system net return (187926.45 ₹/ha). Whereas, B:C (1.45) ratio was maximum with treatment conventional tillage - zero tillage practice. Among different organic nutrient management, 100% N through VC gave highest system gross return (338987.91 ₹/ha) and system net return (196698.16 ₹/ha). However, B:C ratio was maximum (1.48) in 75% N through FYM + 25% N through VC. System production efficiency (104.65 kg/ha/day), system monetary efficiency (1861.24 ₹/ha/day) and system productivity (109.63 q/ha) were maximum in conventional tillage – conventional tillage. Further, 100% N through VC exhibited more system production efficiency (111.15 kg/ha/day), system monetary efficiency (1951.66 ₹/ha/day) and system productivity (116.22 q/ha). ZT-ZT improved the available N (247.05 kg/ha), available P (18.14 kg/ha), available K (197.86 kg/ha), OC (6.38 g/kg) and microbial population viz. bacteria (14.42 x 106 CFU/f soil), fungi (33.34 x 104 CFU/f soil) and actinomycetes (8.44 x 106 CFU/f soil). While, 100% N through FYM attributed the maximum available N (249.39 kg/ha), available P (18.18 kg/ha), available K (198.92 kg/ha), OC (6.41 g/kg) and microbial population namely; bacteria (14.45 x 106 CFU/f soil), fungi (33.44 x 104 CFU/f soil) and actinomycetes (8.46 x 106 CFU/f soil). Soil pH was maximum in conventional tillage – conventional tillage (5.82) as well as in 100% N through VC (5.84) organic source.ThesisItem Open Access EFFICACY OF SEAWEED SAP ON PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY OF WHEAT(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Simran Sumbrui; Chandra Shekhar SinghWheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most important cereal crops in the world. It is grown across a wide range of environments around the world. In India, wheat is the second most important cereal crop next to rice contributing nearly 35 per cent to the national food basket and plays an important role in food and nutritional security. The world production of wheat in 2021 was approximately 779 million tons (2022). India produces 109 million tons (Government of India, Annual Report 2022-23) whereas Jharkhand produces 0.4 million tons with productivity of 1.8 tons/ha (Sameti, Jharkhand 2022-23). To feed India's constantly expanding population, wheat yield must be raised from its current plateau level by both genetic improvement and creative agronomic management techniques. Seaweed extract is one of the recently emerging and highly significant marine algal extracts used to promote growth and yield of field crops as it contains numerous micro, and macro nutrients as well as other growth-promoting hormones and bio-stimulants. Keeping these points in view, an experiment entitled "Efficacy of seaweed sap on productivity and profitability of wheat" was carried out at Birsa Agricultural University Farm, Kanke, Ranchi (23°17" N latitude, 85° 10" E longitude, and 625 m above mean sea level) during the Rabi season of 2021-22 with an objective to study the effect of seed treatment and foliar application of seaweed sap on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and economics of wheat production. The recommended dose of fertilizer (150:60:40 N: P2O5:K2O kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with fourteen treatments replicated thrice. Seed treatment (2 levels) and foliar application (7 levels) with seaweed extracts were treated as factor 1 and 2, respectively. The soil was sandy-loam in texture, acidic pH (5.6), low in organic carbon (0.41%), available nitrogen (239.4 kg/ha), high in available phosphorus (26.7 kg/ha) and available potassium (189.4 kg/ha). Results illustrated that there was maximum improvement in growth attributing characters of wheat like plant height (99.19 cm), tiller numbers (347.35/m2), leaf area index (3.65), dry matter accumulation (1127.70 g/m2) and yield attributing characters i.e. earheads/m2 (333.96/m2 ), number of filled grains/earhead (46.77), earhead length (9.68 cm), earhead weight (1.36 g), 1000 grain weight (42.02 g) as well as grain yield (42.09 q/ha)and straw yield (64.52 kg/ha) was recorded with seed treatment with seaweed extract @ 3ml/kg seed. Total uptake of nitrogen (102.66 kg/ha), phosphorus (19.50 kg/ha) and potassium (96.31 kg/ha) were found maximum with seed treatment with seaweed extract. The gross return (95309 ₹ /ha), net return (64663 ₹ /ha) and B: C ratio (2.18) was also found significantly higher with seed treatment with seaweed extract than without seed treatment. The foliar application of seaweed extract at different concentration applied at different growth stages resulted in marked improvement in growth attributing characters, yield attributing characters and yield of wheat as foliar application of seaweed extracts @4ml/litre water at tillering& heading stage of wheat brought maximum improvement in plant height (104.22 cm), tiller numbers (364.47/m2), leaf area index (3.77), dry matter accumulation (1178.86 g/m2),earheads/m2 (353.19/m2), number of filled grains/earhead (48.75), earhead length (9.99 cm) , earhead weight (1.41 g), 1000 grain weight (42.35 g), grain yield (45.73 q/ha) and straw yield (67.64 q/ha) resulting in maximum uptake of total nitrogen (110.71 kg/ha), phosphorus ( 21.08 kg/ha) and potassium (100.97 kg/ha). It was also observed that thatgross return (₹ 101060 /ha), net return (₹ 69325/ha) and B:C ratio (2.18) were also recorded maximum with foliar application of seaweed extracts @4ml/litre water at tillering & heading stage of wheat. Based on one year of experimentation (Rabi 2021-22).It can be concluded that seed treatment with 3ml/kg seed and foliar application of 4 ml/litre of foliar seaweed extract at tillering and heading stage along with 100% recommended dose of fertilizer application enhanced the productivity and profitability of wheat along with higher nutrient uptake and may prove to be a viable option for enhancing productivity and profitability of wheat in upland situation of chottanagpur plateau region of Jharkhand.ThesisItem Open Access NITROGEN MANAGEMENT IN LINSEED THROUGH NANO-UREA(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Chitrotpala Dehury; Parwaiz AlamLinseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is one of the most nutritious oilseeds due to its potential to produce high-quality fibre and vegetable oil. It is indigenous to the Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia and is a member of the linaceae family. Linseed is grown commercially for flax and oilseed purpose (Pandao et al., 2021). The world production of Linseed in 2021 was approximately 3.34 million metric tons (FAO,2021). India produces 1.4 million metric tons (Government of India, Annual Report 2016-17) whereas Jharkhand produces 0.019 million metric tons with productivity of 0.694 ton/ha (Directorate of Economics & Statistics,2020-21). Utilizing nanoscale or nanostructured materials as fertiliser carriers or controlled release vectors for the construction of so-called "smart fertiliser" as new facilities to improve nutrient use efficiency and lower costs of environmental protection has been made feasible by nanotechnology (Veronica et al., 2015). It played a significant impact in agriculture, including germination rates, growth, improving the availability of nutrients, chlorophyll generation and dry matter production. They can quickly penetrate the soil and plant roots, which enhances plant growth. (Dhoke et al., 2013). A field study entitled “Nitrogen management in Linseed through nano-urea” was conducted at Western Section of Research Farm of Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi during Rabi season 2021-2022 with an objective to study the effect of nitrogen level and nano-urea on growth, yield attributes, yield, NPK uptake and economics of linseed. A field experiment was conducted in split plot design with 4 main plots treatments, viz. 100%N (30 kg N/ha), 75% N (22.5 kg N/ha), 50%N (15 kg N/ha) and 25% N (7.5 kg N/ha) and 5 sub plots treatments, viz. Water spray (no N application), one spray of Nano-urea @ 3ml /litre of water at flower initiation stage, two sprays of Nano-urea @ 3ml /litre of water each at flower initiation stage and capsule development stage, one spray of 2% urea at flower initiation stage and two sprays of 2% urea at flower initiation and capsule development stage. The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) was 30:20:20 N: P2O5: K2O kg/ha and priyam variety was taken for the experiment. Results illustrated that growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, uptake, and economics of Linseed were significantly influenced by different Nitrogen levels and Nitrogen Management through Nano-Urea. In Linseed 100% N (30 kg N/ha) application recorded maximum dry matter accumulation (3.67 g/plant) at maturity, yield attributes namely; primary branch per plant (4.99), secondary branch per plant (18.66), capsules/plant (29.69), seeds/capsule (7.04),1000 grain weight (7.69 g), seed yield (1442.21 kg/ha) and straw yield (2652.06 kg/ha) which were at par with 75% N (22.5 kg N/ha) but significantly higher than rest of the treatments. Quality attributes namely; oil content (38.23%) and Oil yield (577.54 kg/ha) showed maximum value with full dose of N application. The total Nitrogen (103.97 kg/ha) uptake was significantly higher with 100% N application. The available Nitrogen, Phosphorous and potassium (Kg/ha) after harvest did not show significant difference due to different treatments. Application of full dose of Nitrogen showed maximum net returns (₹41905/ha) and B:C ratio (1.71) which was comparable with 75% N (22.5 kg N/ha) but significantly higher than other treatments. Among various foliar spray applications two sprays of Nano-urea @ 3ml /litre of water each at flower initiation stage and capsule development stage recorded maximum dry matter accumulation (3.55 g/plant) at maturity, yield attributes namely; primary branch (5.07), secondary branch per plant (19.51), capsules/plant (28.57), seeds/capsule (7.10),1000 grain weight (7.35 g),seed yield (1364.86 Kg/ha) and straw yield (2507.44 Kg/ha),oil content(37.40%) and Oil yield (556.13 Kg/ha), total Nitrogen (99.74 kg/ha), Phosphorous (26.14 Kg/ha) and potassium (43.11 Kg/ha) uptake. Application of two sprays of Nano-urea @ 3ml /litre of water each at flower initiation stage and capsule development stage recorded maximum net returns (₹37666/ha) and B:C ratio (1.49) which was at par with one nano urea spray @ 3ml/litre of water at flower initiation stage in respect of net returns (₹34078/ha) and B:C ratio (1.39). Based on one year of experimentation, it may be concluded that 75% N (22.5 kg/ha) and one spray of nano-urea @3ml/litre of water at flower initiation stage was found most productive and economical option for Linseed production in Jharkhand.ThesisItem Open Access EFFICACY OF HERBICIDES AGAINST DIVERSE WEED FLORA OF WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.)(2023) Gulshan Kumar; Naiyar. AliWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) holds a significant position among the food grain crops in India, not only in terms of its area and production, but also for its versatility in adapting to a wide range of agro-climatic conditions. Wheat cultivation covered an area of approximately 30 million hectares in India, resulting in a total annual production of 103.5 million tons and an average yield of 3533 kilograms per hectare in 2020 (FAO Stat 2020). By 2051, due to population growth, the production of wheat will have to increase by 110-120 million tons. In wheat cultivation, weed management is a major challenge, which limits crop yield. Wheat is highly susceptible to weed competition in its slow early growth, hence timely weed management is necessary. The manual weed management is considered crucial during the first 60 days, it has become difficult due to labour scarcity and rising labour cost. Therefore, an effective herbicide is required for controlling mixed weed flora during wheat cultivation with minimum cost. An experiment entitled “Efficacy of herbicides against diverse weed flora of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)” was conducted at Birsa Agricultural University Farm, Ranchi during rabi season, 2021-22 to quantify the response of pre and early post emergence herbicides with the main emphasis to find out the effect of herbicides on growth, yield, weed dynamics and economics of wheat. The experiment was led out in randomized block design (RBD) and replicated thrice with the variety DBW 187 under the irrigated condition. The treatment consists of T1: Pendimethalin @ 1000g a.i/ha (PE), T2: Pendimethalin @ 1500g a.i/ha (PE), T3: Pyroxasulfone 85% WG @ 127.5g a.i/ha (PE), T4: Pendimethalin @ 1250g a.i/ha + Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha (tank mix PE), T5: Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha + metsulfuron @ 4g a.i/ha (tank mix PE), T6: Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha (EPoE), T7: Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha + metsulfuron @ 4g a.i/ha (tank mix EPoE), T8: Metribuzin @ 300g a.i/ha (PE), T9: Pendimethalin @ 1250g a.i/ha + Metribuzin @ 280g a.i/ha (tank mix PE), T10: Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha + Metribuzin @ 280g a.i/ha (tank mix PE), T11: Weedy check, T12: Weed free. The soil was clay loam, acidic in reaction (5.6), low in available nitrogen (247.2 kg/ha), medium in available phosphorus (20.5 kg/ha), potassium (156.1 kg/ha) and low in organic carbon (4.5 g/kg soil). Results revealed that among herbicidal treatments at 30 and 60 DAS, application of Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha + metsulfuron @ 4g a.i/ha (tank mix PE) (T5) exhibited the lowest total weed density (31.27 and 46.97/m2 respectively), total weed dry weight (11.31 and 31.47 g/m2 respectively) and the highest weed control efficiency (80.89 and 79.03 %). Similarly, application of Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha + metsulfuron @ 4g a.i/ha (tank mix PE) (T5) recorded the highest growth parameter of wheat viz, plant height at maturity (104.33 cm), leaf area index at 90 DAS (4.18), tillers/m2 at maturity (430.57), Dry matter accumulation at maturity (1096.25 g/m2), crop growth rate 30-60 DAS (10.77 g/m2/day), yield attribute viz, spikes/m2 (418.33), number of grain/spike (44.79), spike length (9.48 cm), 1000 - grain weight (46.50 g), grain yield (5.81 t/ha), straw yield (6.65 t/ha) and net return (₹ 77696/ha) among herbicidal treatments. On the basis of one year experimentation, it may be concluded that among herbicidal treatments application of Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha + metsulfuron @ 4g a.i/ha (tank mix PE) (T5) proved to be effective in suppressing weeds and recorded maximum grain yield (5.81 t/ha) and net return (₹ 77696/ha) with B:C ratio (1.82) of wheat for acidic soils of Jharkhand under irrigated condition.ThesisItem Open Access EFFICACY OF HERBICIDES AGAINST DIVERSE WEED FLORA OF WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.)(2023) Gulshan Kumar; Naiyar. AliWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) holds a significant position among the food grain crops in India, not only in terms of its area and production, but also for its versatility in adapting to a wide range of agro-climatic conditions. Wheat cultivation covered an area of approximately 30 million hectares in India, resulting in a total annual production of 103.5 million tons and an average yield of 3533 kilograms per hectare in 2020 (FAO Stat 2020). By 2051, due to population growth, the production of wheat will have to increase by 110-120 million tons. In wheat cultivation, weed management is a major challenge, which limits crop yield. Wheat is highly susceptible to weed competition in its slow early growth, hence timely weed management is necessary. The manual weed management is considered crucial during the first 60 days, it has become difficult due to labour scarcity and rising labour cost. Therefore, an effective herbicide is required for controlling mixed weed flora during wheat cultivation with minimum cost. An experiment entitled “Efficacy of herbicides against diverse weed flora of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)” was conducted at Birsa Agricultural University Farm, Ranchi during rabi season, 2021-22 to quantify the response of pre and early post emergence herbicides with the main emphasis to find out the effect of herbicides on growth, yield, weed dynamics and economics of wheat. The experiment was led out in randomized block design (RBD) and replicated thrice with the variety DBW 187 under the irrigated condition. The treatment consists of T1: Pendimethalin @ 1000g a.i/ha (PE), T2: Pendimethalin @ 1500g a.i/ha (PE), T3: Pyroxasulfone 85% WG @ 127.5g a.i/ha (PE), T4: Pendimethalin @ 1250g a.i/ha + Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha (tank mix PE), T5: Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha + metsulfuron @ 4g a.i/ha (tank mix PE), T6: Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha (EPoE), T7: Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha + metsulfuron @ 4g a.i/ha (tank mix EPoE), T8: Metribuzin @ 300g a.i/ha (PE), T9: Pendimethalin @ 1250g a.i/ha + Metribuzin @ 280g a.i/ha (tank mix PE), T10: Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha + Metribuzin @ 280g a.i/ha (tank mix PE), T11: Weedy check, T12: Weed free. The soil was clay loam, acidic in reaction (5.6), low in available nitrogen (247.2 kg/ha), medium in available phosphorus (20.5 kg/ha), potassium (156.1 kg/ha) and low in organic carbon (4.5 g/kg soil). Results revealed that among herbicidal treatments at 30 and 60 DAS, application of Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha + metsulfuron @ 4g a.i/ha (tank mix PE) (T5) exhibited the lowest total weed density (31.27 and 46.97/m2 respectively), total weed dry weight (11.31 and 31.47 g/m2 respectively) and the highest weed control efficiency (80.89 and 79.03 %). Similarly, application of Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha + metsulfuron @ 4g a.i/ha (tank mix PE) (T5) recorded the highest growth parameter of wheat viz, plant height at maturity (104.33 cm), leaf area index at 90 DAS (4.18), tillers/m2 at maturity (430.57), Dry matter accumulation at maturity (1096.25 g/m2), crop growth rate 30-60 DAS (10.77 g/m2/day), yield attribute viz, spikes/m2 (418.33), number of grain/spike (44.79), spike length (9.48 cm), 1000 - grain weight (46.50 g), grain yield (5.81 t/ha), straw yield (6.65 t/ha) and net return (₹ 77696/ha) among herbicidal treatments. On the basis of one year experimentation, it may be concluded that among herbicidal treatments application of Pyroxasulfone @ 127.5g a.i/ha + metsulfuron @ 4g a.i/ha (tank mix PE) (T5) proved to be effective in suppressing weeds and recorded maximum grain yield (5.81 t/ha) and net return (₹ 77696/ha) with B:C ratio (1.82) of wheat for acidic soils of Jharkhand under irrigated condition.ThesisItem Open Access Tillage and Residue Management in Rice-Wheat Cropping System for Improving Productivity and Soil Health(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Piyush Kumar Bhargaw; S. KarmakarRice-wheat cropping system provides the staple grain supply for a large portion of the world’s population and is critically important for global food security. In south Asia, this system produces more than 30 % of the rice and 42 % of wheat and covers around 113.5 million hectare of the cultivated land. In the intensive tillage, there is gradual decline in soil organic matter due to oxidation and burning of crop residues causing environmental pollution, in addition to loss of valuable plant nutrients. Conservation agriculture (CA) practices are recognized as a powerful tool to address the issues related to land and environmental degradation. Rice and wheat residues are important natural resource and recycling of these residues improves the productivity of soil. The effect of different tillage and residue management practices on the performance of rice-wheat cropping system was studied at BAU, Ranchi, Jharkhand during two consecutive years, 2019-20 and 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications having four different tillage practices in main plotconventional tillage in both the crops (CT-CT), conventional tillage in rice and zero tillage in wheat (CT-ZT), zero tillage in rice and conventional tillage in wheat (ZT-CT) and zero tillage in rice and wheat both the crops (ZT-ZT) whereas, four residue management practices in sub-plot– preceding crop residue at 5 t ha-1 applied in both the crops (R-R) as soil cover, wheat residue at 5 t ha-1 applied in rice crop only (R-NR), rice residue at 5 t ha-1 applied in wheat crop only (NR-R) and no residue in both the crops (NR-NR). The soil of experimental field was sandy loam in texture, slightly acidic in reaction, low in available N and K whereas, medium in P and OC. The variety Sahbhagidhan and HD 2967 with recommended fertilizer doses of N:P2O5:K2O-80:40:20 and 150:60:40 were used during the experimentation in rice and wheat, respectively. Results illustrated that growth parameters, yield attributes, yields, energetics and economics of rice and wheat were significantly influenced by different tillage and residue management practices. In rice, maximum growth, yield and economics were recorded under CT-CT during 2019 and CT-ZT during 2020 but both the treatments remained at par. On the basis of mean of two years, maximum plant height, number of tillers m-2, dry matter accumulation, CGR, yield attributes viz., number of panicles (204 m-2), number of grains (110 panicle-1), 1000-grain weight (25.53 g), grain yield (4234 kg ha-1), straw yield (6563 kg ha-1), harvest index (39.20 %), uptake of N (88.19 kg ha-1), P (26.08 kg ha-1) and K (83.49 kg ha-1), net energy outputs (97,777 MJ ha-1), net return (Rs. 48,632 ha-1) were recorded under CT-ZT which remained at par with CT-CT. ii Among residue management practices, maximum plant height (111.2 cm), dry matter accumulation (1118.9 g m-2), number of panicles (215 m-2), number of grains (112 panicle-1), 1000-grain weight (25.82 g), grain yield (4428 kg ha-1), straw yield (6754 kg ha-1), harvest index (39.66 %), uptake of N (94.48 kg ha-1), P (27.96 kg ha-1) and K (89.03 kg ha-1), gross energy outputs (1,49,508 MJ ha-1), gross return (Rs. 86,085 ha-1), net return (Rs. 52,840 ha-1) with minimum total weed density (29.74 m-2) and weed dry matter (9.39 g m-2) were recorded under residues applied in both the crops. While, maximum net energy outputs (1,24,603 MJ ha-1), energy use efficiency (12.19 %), energy productivity (0.380 kg MJ-1) and lower specific energy (2.65 MJ kg-1) recorded with NR-R. In case of wheat, maximum values with respect to growth, yield and economics were recorded under CT-CT, which was at par with ZT-CT during 2019-20 whereas during 2020-21, CT-CT was at par with ZT-CT and CT-ZT. On the basis of mean of two years, maximum growth and yield parameters, grain yield (4322 kg ha-1), straw yield (4720 kg ha-1), harvest index (47.80 %), uptake of nutrients (N, P and K, gross return (Rs. 87,725 ha-1) and minimum weed dry matter (13.67 g m-2) at 60 DAS and specific energy (10.86 MJ kg-1) were recorded under CT-CT whereas, maximum energy use efficiency (3.874%), net return (Rs. 51,047 ha-1) and B: C ratio (1.51) were recorded with CT-ZT. Among residue management practices, maximum plant height (108.2 cm), dry matter accumulation (1038.0 g m-2), yield attributes viz., number of spikes (312 m-2), number of grains (45 spike-1), 1000-grain weight (45.79 g), grain yield (4500 kg ha-1), straw yield (4887 kg ha-1), harvest index (47.94 %), N (98.95 kg ha-1), P (28.57 kg ha-1) and K (68.53 kg ha-1) uptake by crop, gross energy outputs (1,44,582 MJ ha-1), gross return (Rs. 91,320 ha-1) and net return (Rs. 52,988 ha-1), lower total weed density (92.96 m-2) and weed dry matter (9.02 g m-2) at 60 DAS were recorded under R-R which was at par with NR-R. While, net energy outputs (1,18,431 MJ ha-1), specific energy (3.99 MJ kg-1), energy use efficiency (7.135 %) and B:C ratio (1.48) were maximum with R-NR. In rice-wheat cropping system, maximum system productivity in terms of rice equivalent yield (REY) was recorded under CT-CT during 2019-20 and CT-ZT during 2020 but both the treatments remained at par. On the basis of mean of two years, maximum REY (8784 kg ha-1), nutrient uptake of the system (N 181.5, P 53.0 and K 148.0 kg ha-1), net energy output (1,88,425 MJ ha-1), energy use efficiency (3.272 %), having lowest specific energy (10.774 MJ kg-1) were recorded under CT-CT, which was at par with CT-ZT. Marginal increase in net return, B: C ratio, energy use efficiency and iii energy productivity was noted under CT-ZT over CT-CT. Among the residue management practices, R-R gave highest system productivity (9185 kg ha-1), NPK uptake by the system (N 193.4, P 56.5 and K 157.6 kg ha-1), gross return (Rs. 1,77,405 ha-1), net return (Rs. 1,05,828 ha-1) and gross energy output (2,94,089 MJ ha-1). However, higher net energy outputs (2,24,479 MJ ha-1), energy use efficiency (8.37 %) and energy productivity (0.278 kg MJ-1) obtained under NR-NR. With regards to soil health status, tillage management practices had no significant effect on soil parameters except fungal population as well as available P and K, which were significantly higher in ZT-ZT compared to CT-CT. An improving trend with respect to physico-chemical and biological properties of soil was noted in CT-ZT compared to CT-CT. Maximum improvement in chemical properties of soil namely, available N (230.2 kg ha-1), available P (16.2 kg ha-1), available K (149.8 kg ha-1), organic carbon (5.22 g kg-1); microbial population viz. bacteria (80.9 cfu × 105 g-1 soil), fungi (13.2 cfu × 105 g-1 soil) and actinomycetes (12.3 cfu × 105 g-1 soil) were observed under ZT-ZT. In case of residue application in both the crops attributed maximum available N (233.7 kg ha-1), P (16.3 kg ha-1), K (152.1 kg ha-1), organic carbon (5.25 g kg-1) and microbial population; bacteria (85.2 cfu × 105 g-1 soil), fungi (14.2 cfu × 105 g-1 soil) and actinomycetes (12.5 cfu × 105 g-1 soil). Based on the above results, it may be concluded that conventional tillage in rice and zero tillage in wheat (CT-ZT) would be more beneficial with respect to growth, productivity, profitability and soil health in rice-wheat system over conventional tillage in both the crops (CT-CT). While under residue management practices, use of preceding crop residue at 5 t ha-1 as soil cover in both rice and wheat crops (R-R) would be helpful for availing quality produce and improving the soil quality parameters.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF NANO-UREA ON PRODUCTIVITY OF WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.)(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Sambita Bhattacharyya; Ashok Kumar SinghWheat is eaten by 2.5 billion people in 89 countries. It supersedes Maize or Rice as a source of protein in low and middle income nations and is second only to rice as a source of calories. (CIMMYT, 2019). In the marketing year of 2019-2020, the global production volume of wheat amounted to over 765 million metric tons. India ranks 2nd in wheat production after China and produced 108.75 million tonnes of wheat (PIB,2020- 21). Uttar Pradesh ranks 1st in wheat production followed by Madhya Pradesh and Punjab and Punjab ranks 1st in productivity. Jharkhand has 2.0 lakh hectare under wheat cultivation with the production of 3.98 lakh ton and productivity of 1.8 ton per hectare (Govt of Jharkhand Annual Report, 2016-17). Recently the Nano-fertilizers are getting importance in sustainable agriculture in increasing crop production, enhancing nutrient use efficiency and reduction in wastage of chemical fertilizers. Nano-fertilizers provide more surface area for different metabolic reactions in the plant system which increase rate of photosynthesis and produce more dry-matter and yield of the crop. Nano fertilizers are more reactive and can penetrate through cuticle, ensuring controlled release and targeted delivery. A field experiment entitled “Effect of Nano-Urea on Productivity of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)” was conducted during rabi 2021-22 at Agricultural Research Farm of Department of Agronomy, Birsa Agricultural University Kanke, Ranchi with the main emphasis on the study of the effect of Nano-Urea on growth, yield attributes, yield, nutrient uptake and economics of wheat crop. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) replicated thrice with thirteen treatments viz. T1-100% RDF* (1/3 N at basal , 1/3 at CRI, 1/3 at maximum tillering )+ Water spray at 70 DAS and 90 DAS,T2-100%RDF (1/3 N at basal , 1/3 at CRI, 1/3 at maximum tillering )+ one spray of nano urea at 70 DAS,T3-100% RDF (1/3 N at basal , 1/3 at CRI, 1/3 at maximum tillering ) + two spray of nano urea at 70 DAS and 90 DAS,T4-100% RDF (1/3 N at basal , 1/3 at CRI, 1/3 at maximum tillering ) + two spray of urea (2%) at 70 DAS and 90 DAS,T5-75%RDF** (1/3 N at basal , 1/3 at CRI, 1/3 at maximum tillering ), + water spray at 70 DAS and 90 DAS,T6-75% RDF (1/3 N at basal , 1/3 at CRI, 1/3 at maximum tillering ) + one spray of nano-urea at 70 DAS,T7-75%RDF (1/3 N at basal , 1/3 at CRI, 1/3 at maximum tillering ), + two spray of nano urea at 70 DAS and 90 DAS,T8-75% RDF (1/3 N at basal , 1/3 at CRI, 1/3 at maximum tillering ) + two spray of urea (2%) at 70 DAS and 90 DAS,T9-50% RDF*** (1/3 N at basal , 1/3 at CRI, 1/3 at maximum tillering ) + two water spray at 70 DAS and 90 DAS,T10- 50% RDF (1/3 N at basal , 1/3 at CRI, 1/3 at maximum tillering) + one spray of nano urea at 70 DAS,T11- 50%RDF (1/3 N at basal , 1/3 at CRI, 1/3 at maximum tillering ) + Two spray of nano urea at 70 DAS and 90 DAS,T12-50%RDF (1/3 N at basal , 1/3 at CRI, 1/3 at maximum tillering ) + two spray of urea (2%) urea at 70 DAS and 90 DAS,T13-RDF of P and K and without N (Control). Wheat variety DBW-187 (Karan Vandana) was taken for the experiment. The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) was 150:60:40kg N: P2O5:K2O per hectare and dose of Nano-Urea was 4 ml per litre of water. Results revealed that maximum growth and yield attributes viz. plant height (101.97cm), total tillers/m2 (365) dry-matter accumulation /m2 (1372.5g/m2) at harvest, number of ear-heads/m2(355.67) spike length (11.43), and 1000 grain weight (43.66 g) were recorded with the treatment 100% RDF + 2 Nano-Urea spray at 70 and 90 days after sowing which was at par with 75% RDF+ 2 Nano-spray at 70 and 90 days after sowing but was significantly superior to 50% RDF+ 2 Nano-Urea spray at 70 and 90 days after sowing. It was also observed that application of 100% RDF + 2 Nano-Urea spray at 70 and 90 days after sowing showed maximum grain (52.97 q/ha) and straw yield (81.63 q/ha), net returns (rupees77360/ha) and Benefit: Cost ratio (2.06) which was at par with 75% RDF + 2 Nano-Urea sprays at 70 and 90 days after sowing in terms of grain (49.2 q/ha) and straw (77.17 q/ha) yield, net returns (rupees 69905 /ha) and B:C ratio (1.89). The treatment 75% RDF+ 2 sprays of 2% urea gave at par grain yield (45.7 q/ha), net returns (rupees 63468/ha), and B: C ratio (1.78) with the treatment T7 (75% RDF + 2 Nano-Urea sprays at 70 and 90 days after sowing). The total nitrogen (137.32 kg/ha), phosphorus (22.01kg/ha) and potassium (125.38 kg/ha) uptake by wheat crop were significantly higher with the treatment 100% RDF + 2 Nano-Urea spray at 70 and 90 days after sowing. The results also revealed that the available nitrogen phosphorus and potassium (kg/ha) after harvest did not show significant difference due to different treatments under test. However, the maximum available nitrogen (223.67kg/ha) in soil was recorded with the treatment T3 followed by the treatment T2 (215.2 kg/ha) and T7 (213.7 kg/ha) respectively. The correlation coefficient of grain yield in relation to plant height at harvest (r = 0.984**), dry-matter accumulation /m2 at harvest (r = 0.967**), total number of tillers/m2 at harvest ( r = 0.974**), ear-heads/m2 (r = 0.979**), filled grains/spike (r = 0.892**), 1000 grain weight ( r = 0.864**), protein content ( r = 0.905**), total nitrogen uptake by the crop ( r = 0.993**), total phosphorus uptake by the crop (r = 0.950**), total potassium uptake by the crop ( r = 0.984**) revealed highly significant positive correlation between grain yield and the selected parameters at 1% level of significance i.e. the parameters subjected to analysis have positively and significantly contributed to grain yield. Based on one year of experimentation (rabi 2021-22), it may be concluded that 100% RDF integrated with 2 sprays of Nano-Urea at 70 and 90 days after sowing produced maximum grain yield (52.97 q/ha), total nitrogen uptake (137.32 kg/ha), net returns (rupees77360.17/ha) and B:C ratio (2.06). However, it was at par with 75% RDF + 2 sprays of Nano-Urea at 70 and 90 days after sowing in respect to grain yield (49.20 q/ha), net profit (rupees 69905.67/ha), B:C ratio (1.89). The treatment T8 performed at par with the treatment T7 in terms of grain yield (45.7 q/ha), net returns (rupees 63468/ha) and B: C ratio (1.78). In case of inaccessibility to Nano-Urea the treatment 75% RDF along with 2 sprays of 2% urea can also be adopted. Therefore, it may be culminated that application of 75% RDF along with 2 sprays of Nano-Urea at 70 and 90 days after sowing for the variety DBW-187 (Karan-Vandana) may be economically viable option amidst all the treatments.
