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ThesisItem Open Access NUTRIENT AND WEED MANAGEMENT IN BUCKWHEAT (Fagopyrum esculentum) AFTER SALI RICE(2019-12) Timung, Bamon; Choudhary, J.K.An experiment entitled “Nutrient and weed management in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) after sali rice” was conducted at Instructional-cum-Research farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during the rabi season of 2018-19 to study the effect of nutrient and weed management practices on buckwheat after sali rice harvest. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The treatment consisted of four nutrient management practices viz., control, application of 20-10-10 kg/ha N-P2O5-K2O, respectively, application of 20-10-10 kg/ha N-P2O5-K2O, respectively + 1.25t/ha vermicompostand application of 20-10-10 kg/ha N-P2O5-K2O, respectively + 2.5t/ha vermicompostand three weed management treatments viz.,control,pre-emergence application of pendimethalin@ 0.75 kg/haand pre-emergenceapplication of pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg/ha + dryland weeder at 40 DAS. The soil of the experiment site was sandy loam in texture, acidic in reaction (pH: 5.6) medium in organic C (0.58 %), available N (259.56 kg/ha),P2O5 (20.40 kg/ha) and available K2O (161.23 kg/ha). The weeds of the experimental field wereEleusine indica, Panicum repens, Paspalum compressus, Digitaria setigera, Cynodon dactylon among the grasses; Cyperus rotundusamong the sedge; and Ageratum houstonianum, Commelina benghalensis, Polygonum plebeium, Mimosa pudica and Acmella ciliata among the broad leaved. The density and dry weight of weeds in rainfed buckwheat were found to be significantlylesserwith application of 20-10-10 kg/ha N-P2O5-K2O, respectively + 2.5t/ha vermicompostcompared to other treatments. As a result, the uptake of N, P and K by weeds was found to be significantly lesser with N3. The growth parameters like plant height, number of primary branches/plant and yield attributing characters viz., number of cyme/plant,number of seeds/cyme were found to be significantly higher in N3. The highest seed yield (1249.99 kg/ha), stover yield (2046.76 kg/ha) wasthus recorded with this treatment. In respect of weed management,pre-emergence application of pendimethalin@ 0.75 kg/ha + dryland weeder operation at 40 DAS was found to significantly lower the density and dry weight, N,P and K content and uptake of weeds in rainfed buckwheat.Thus, the growth and yield attributing characters of rainfed buckwheatimproved with this treatment which recorded the highest seed(1080.55 kg/ha) and stover(1824.02 kg/ha) yields. The nutrient as well as weed management interacted significantly and the combination of the two above-mentioned treatments was the best treatment combination withthe seed yield of 1333.32 kg/ha and stover yield of 2079.16 kg/ha.This treatment combination was also found to be the best with a gross return of Rs. 47,705.72, net return of Rs. 26,032.58 and B: C ratio of 1.20.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT (INM) IN RICE-SESAME-PEA CROPPING SYSTEM(2019-07) Bokado, Kangujam; Bora, P. C.A field experiment was conducted in Instructional cum Research Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat for two years i.e, 2016-17 and 2017-18 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on growth, yield and quality of rice-sesame-pea cropping system and also to find out the requirement of sulphur in sesame and pea. The treatment consisted of four levels of INM viz., F1: 100% N from inorganic, F2: 25% N from FYM + 75 % N from inorganic, F3: 50% N from FYM + 50 % N from inorganic and F4: 75% N from FYM + 25 % N from inorganic for rice. For sesame and pea, the treatment consisted of four levels of INM (F1, F2, F3 and F4) and four sulphur levels which include S0: 0 kg ha-1, S1: 10 kg ha-1, S2: 20 kg ha-1 and S3: 30 kg ha-1. The experiment consisted of 16 treatment combinations replicated thrice in a split-plot design. The initial soil status of the experimental site was sandy clay loam in texture, acidic in reaction, medium in organic carbon, low in available nitrogen, low in available phosphorus, medium in available potassium and low in available sulphur. Growth and yield components of rice were influenced by INM. Plant height, number of tillers per running metre, plant dry weight (g plant-1), crop growth rate (g m-2 day-1), number of effective tillers m-2 , panicle length (cm), number of grains panicle-1, test weight (g), grain yield (t ha-1), straw yield (t ha-1), harvest index (%) and benefit-cost ratio, protein content (%), carbohydrate content (%) in grain, total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake was observed to be maximum at 100% N from inorganic. INM and sulphur levels influenced growth and yield components of sesame significantly. Plant height, number of branches plant-1, plant dry weight (g plant-1), crop growth rate (g m-2 day-1), number of capsules plant-1, number of seeds capsule-1, grain yield (t ha-1), stover yield (t ha-1), harvest index (%), protein content (%), oil content (%) in grain, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur uptake was observed to be maximum at 75% N from FYM + 25% N from inorganic + 30 kg S ha-1. The effect of INM and sulphur on growth and yield components of succeeding pea was significantly influenced by nitrogen levels and sulphur levels. Plant height, number of branches plant-1, plant dry weight (g plant-1), crop growth rate (g m-2 day-1), number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, pod yield (t ha-1), stover yield (t ha-1), harvest index (%), protein content (%), oil content (%) in seed, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur uptake was observed to be maximum at 75% N from FYM + 25% N from inorganic+ 30 kg S ha-1.ThesisItem Open Access PERFORMANCE OF BABY CORN VARIETIES UNDER DIFFERENT LEVELS OF FERTILIZERS DURING SUMMER SEASON(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Medhi, Dhabanita; Dutta, RinjumoniA field experiment entitled ‘Performance of baby corn varieties under different levels of fertilizers during summer season’ was conducted at the Instructional-cum- Research (ICR) Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during the summer season of 2018 to find out a suitable variety and a suitable fertilizer dose required for baby corn cultivation. The experiment consisted of three baby corn varieties viz., VL Baby corn-1(V1), CMVL Baby corn -2(V2) and G-5414(V3) and four fertilizer levels viz., 60- 40-40 N-P2O5-K2O kg/ha (F1), 75-50-50 N-P2O5-K2O kg/ha (F2), 90-60-60 N- P2O5- K2O kg/ha (F3) and 105-70-70 N-P2O5-K2O kg/ha (F4). The treatments were laid out in split plot design and replicated thrice with varieties in the main plot and fertilizer levels in the sub-plot. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam in texture, acidic in reaction (pH- 5.15), medium in organic carbon (0.68%), low in available N (198.19 kg/ha), medium in available P2O5 (27.48kg/ha) and available K2O (158.23 kg/ha). Experimental findings revealed that among the three varieties tested, CMVL Baby corn -2 recorded the highest plant height which was at par with G-5414. VL Baby corn -1 took lesser days for tasseling, silking and harvest initiation compared to G-5414 and CMVL Baby corn -2. Number of cobs per plant, cob girth and weight of each cob with and without husk was higher for G-5414 whereas cob length was higher for CMVL Baby corn-2. Cob yield both with and without husk was the highest for G-5414 i.e. 86.07 q/ha and 18.78 q/ha respectively, whereas CMVL Baby corn-2 recorded the highest green fodder yield (247.02 q/ha) which was at par with G-5414 (244.96 q/ha). The total N, P and K uptake was recorded the highest for G-5414. Application of different levels of fertilizer doses showed significant effect on plant height which was recorded the highest with the application of 105-70-70 N-P2O5- K2O kg/ha. The number of green leaves, dry matter production and LAI as well as yield attributing characters like number of cobs per plant, length and weight of the cob with and without husk as well as cob yield with husk (89.07 q/ha) and without husk (18.39 q/ha) and green fodder yield (249.99 q/ha) were recorded the highest with the application of 105-70-70 N-P2O5-K2O kg/ha but was at par with the application of 90- 60-60 N- P2O5-K2O kg/ha. The highest nutrient content and total uptake was obtained with the application of 105-70-70 N-P2O5-K2O kg/ha which was at par with 90-60-60 N- P2O5-K2O kg/ha. Application of 105-70-70 N-P2O5-K2O kg/ha recorded significantly higher available N, P2O5 and K2O (kg/ha) in the soil after harvest over rest of the treatments. In terms of economics, the highest gross returns (`174746.62), net returns (`139895.63) and B: C ratio (4.01) were recorded with the variety G-5414. Application of 105-70-70 N-P2O5-K2O kg/ha resulted in the highest gross return (`172153.87) and net return (`135190.60) but the highest B: C ratio (3.73) was obtained from treatment 90-60- 60 N- P2O5-K2O kg/ha.ThesisItem Open Access CONSERVATION IRRIGATION AND INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT OF LATE SOWN TORIA IN RICE FALLOWS OF ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Dutta, Bhakti Priya; Das, J. C.A field experiment entitled “Conservation irrigation and integrated nutrient management of late sown toria in rice fallows” was conducted at the Instructional-cum-Research Farm of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during rabi season (December- March) of 2017-18. The toria variety used for the investigation was Jeuti (JT-90-1). The treatments consisted of five levels of conservation irrigation viz., I0-Rain-fed, I1- Mulching with rice straw @5t/ha, I2- One irrigation at 50% flowering, I3 - One irrigation at 50% flowering + mulching with rice straw @5t/ha and I4- Two Irrigations at 50% flowering and at pod development stages and three levels of integrated nutrient management practices viz., N1- Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), N2 - 50% N of RDF + 50% N as FYM and N3 - 75% N of RDF + 25% N as FYM + Bio-fertilizer (Consortium of Azotobacter and PSB), laid out in a split-plot design with conservation irrigation in the main plots and integrated nutrient management practices in the sub-plots and were replicated thrice. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam in texture, acidic in reaction (pH 5.3), medium in organic carbon (0.48%), available N (271.24 kg/ha), available P2O5 (22.95 kg/ha) and available K2O (155.67 kg/ha). The bulk density, field capacity, permanent wilting point and water holding capacity of the soil were 1.48 g/cc, 24.46%, 11.23% and 36.38%, respectively. Results revealed that application of two irrigations at 50% flowering and at pod development stages resulted in higher growth in terms of plant height, dry weight and number of branches per plant as well as yield attributing characters like number of siliquae per plant and number of seeds per siliqua. The effects of these were reflected in resulting to higher yield of seed, stover and oil. However in all such cases, this treatment was found to be statistically at par with that of one irrigation at 50% flowering + mulching with rice straw@ 5 t/ha. The maximum values of N, P and K uptake, consumptive use and total water use were observed under two irrigations at 50% flowering and at pod development stages, followed by one irrigation at 50% flowering + mulching with rice straw@ 5 t/ha. Also, higher gross and net return and B: C ratio were found under the treatment of two irrigations at 50% flowering and at pod development stages which was closely followed by one irrigation at 50% flowering + mulching with rice straw@ 5 t/ha. Different integrated nutrient management practices brought about significant differences in growth parameters, yield attributing characters, seed, stover and oil yield, consumptive and total water use, water use efficiency and N, P and K uptake. The highest values in all such aspects as well total return and B: C ratio were recorded under application of 75% N of RDF + 25% N as FYM + Bio-fertilizer. The treatment combination of two irrigations at 50% flowering and pod development stages and 75% N of RDF + 25% N as FYM + Bio-fertilizer produced the highest seed, stover and oil yield which was closely followed by one irrigation at 50% flowering+ mulching with rice straw @5t/ha along with 75% N of RDF + 25% N as FYM + Bio-fertilizer.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF DATE OF SOWING AND ROW SPACING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF BABY CORN (Zea mays L.) DURING RABI SEASON(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Talukdar, Lipika; Bora, P.C.A field experiment entitle “Effect of dates of sowing and row spacing on growth and yield of baby corn (Zea mays L.) during rabi season” was carried out at the Instrutional-cum-Research farm. Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat in the year of 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design and replicated thrice. The treatment consist of two different factors, viz., four dates of sowing 31stOctober (D1), 10th November (D2), 20th November (D3) and 30th November (D4) and three row spacing 60 cm x 20 cm (S1), 45 cm x 20 cm (S2) and 30 cm x 20 cm (S3). The baby corn Cv. G- 5414 was sown with application of recommended those of 90:60:60 N, P2O5, and K2O kg ha-1. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loom in texture, acidic in reaction (pH 5.4), medium in organic carbon (0.52 %), low in available Nitrogen (190.24 kg ha- 1) and available P205 (20.03 kg ha-1) and medium in available K2O (160.03 kg ha-1). Experimental findings revealed that almost all the growth and yield attributes such as plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation per plant, number of cobs per plant, cob length, cob girth, cob weight were significantly influenced by different dates of sowing. In most of cases early sowing on 31st October and 10th November were statistically at par and shown their superiority over late sowing on 20th November and 30th November sown crop. The dates of sowing show significant difference on harvest duration of baby corn. The highest harvest duration was found in 31st October sown crop which was statistically at par with 10th November sown crop. Crops sown on 31st October recorded 4.72, 18.05 and 24.60 per cent higher cob yield with husk and green fodder yield by 12.52, 14.72 and 26.68 per cent higher respectively over 10th November, 20th November and 30th November sowing. The 31st October sown crop recorded significantly higher total N, P and K uptake by crop over 10th, 20th , 30th November sown crop. Crop sown on 30th November significantly recorded higher available N, P2O and K2O (Kg ha-1) in the soil after harvest over rest of the dates of sowing. Results showed that at 50, 75 DAS and at tasseling and at harvest spacing 30 cm x 20 cm recorded significantly higher plant height over those of 45 cm x 20 cm and 60 cm x 20 cm spacing .Spacing of 60 cm x 20 cm recorded highest harvest duration which were significantly higher than those of other spacing. Wider spacing of 60 cm x 20 cm had significantly higher number of cobs plant-1, weight of cob and length of cob and cob girth , however, the lowest values were found at 30 cm x 20 cm spacing. Yield of cob with husk, without husk and fodder yield was found to be the higher under spacing 45 cm x 20 cm (88.24 q ha-1, 20.79 q ha-1 and 363.34 q ha-1 respectively). Cob yield with husk obtained under 45 cm x 20 cm spacing increased by 8.40, 17.57 per cent over other spacing viz. 60 cm x 20 cm and 30 cm x 20 cm respectively. Total N, P and K uptake was also found to be higher under 45 cm x 20 cm spacing than rest of the spacing treatments. In terms of economics, higher gross return (Rs. 2,07,011.11,) net return (Rs.1,60,224.11/ha) with BCR ( 3.42) were recorded by the 31st October sown crop than other dates of sowing. Among different spacing the highest gross return (Rs.2,02,627.50/ha), net return (Rs.1,52,486.10/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (3.04) was recorded from the spacing 45cm x 20cm than other spacing.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA AND WEED MANAGEMENT IN DIRECT-SEEDED UPLAND RICE(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) PHUKAN, JIMNI; Deka, JayantaA field experiment entitled “Effect of Plant Growth-promoting Rhizobacteria and Weed Management in Direct-seeded Upland Rice” was carried out at Instructional-cum-Research Farm (ICR), Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during autumn season of 2018 with a view to study the effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and weed management practices on weed, crop growth and yield of direct seeded upland rice. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of three PGPR inoculations viz., Bacillus cereus (P1), Pseudomonas fluorescens (P2) and no inoculation (P3) and four weed management practices viz., Pretilachlor @ 0.75 kg/ha (W1), Pretilachlor @ 0.75 kg/ha followed by 1 hand weeding at 30 DAS (W2), three hand weedings at 15, 30 & 45 DAS (W3) and weedy check (W4). The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam, acidic in reaction (pH: 5.5), medium in organic carbon (0.54%), low in available N (191.0 kg/ha), P2O5 (22.28 kg/ha) and K2O (107.05 kg/ha). The weed flora of the experimental field comprised of Eleusine indica, Digitaria setigera, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus difformis, Cyperus rotundus, Ageratum houstonianum, Commelina diffusa, Oldenlandia corymbosa, Spermacoce articularis, Cleome rutidosperma, Mimosa pudica and Acmella ciliata. The density and dry weight of weeds were lowest with Pseudomonas fluorescens among PGPR treatments. The plant height, number of tillers, plant dry matter accumulation, panicle length, number of panicles and number of grains were significantly improved due to Pseudomonas fluorescens. The highest grain and straw yield of rice were recorded with Pseudomonas fluorescens. Bacterial populations in soil, phosphomonoesterace and dehydrogenase activity were enhanced by Pseudomonas fluorescens but fungal population in soil was increased by Bacillus cereus. Single application of Pretilachlor @ 0.75 kg/ha or application of Pretilachlor @ 0.75 kg/ha followed by 1 hand weeding at 30 DAS resulted least density and dry weight of weeds at initial stages but in later stages of crop growth, lowest values were recorded in three hand weedings done at 15, 30 & 45 DAS. Better growth and yield attributing characters of rice with three hand weedings at 15, 30 & 45 DAS resulted in the highest grain and straw yields. Higher microbial count in soil and enzymatic activity were recorded in weedy check and three hand weedings at 15, 30 & 45 DAS. The combination of Pseudomonas fluorescens with either three hand weedings at 15, 30 & 45 DAS or Pretilachlor @ 0.75 kg/ha followed by 1 hand weeding at 30 DAS was found to be superior with grain and straw yield. Similar trend was also achieved in gross and net returns. The benefit : cost ratio was highest with the combination of Pseudomonas fluorescens with Pretilachlor pre-emergence @ 0.75 kg/ha followed by 1 hand weeding at 30 DAS.ThesisItem Open Access PERFORMANCE OF LATE SOWN TORIA IN RICE FALLOWS UNDER INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Bora, Priyanki; Ojha, N. J.A field experiment entitled “Performance of late sown toria in rice fallows under integrated nutrient management practices” was carried out at Instructional-cum- Research Farm, Assam Agricultural University, during the rabi season of 2017-18 and 2018-19. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design and replicated thrice and consisted of ten treatments. The treatments were 100% Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (40-35- 15 kg N-P2O5-K2O/ha + 10 kg borax/ha) (T1), 100% RDF + vermicompost @ 2t/ ha (T2), 100% RDF + vermicompost @ 2 t/ ha + 20 kg S/ha (T3), 100% RDF + vermicompost @ 2 t/ha + 20 kg S/ha + 4 kg Zn/ha (T4), 100% RDF + vermicompost @ 2 t/ha + 20 kg S/ha + 4 kg Zn/ha + seed treatment with biofertilizer consortia (T5), 75% RDF (T6), 75% RDF + vermicompost @ 2t/ ha (T7), 75% RDF + vermicompost @ 2 t/ha + 20 kg S/ha (T8), 75% RDF + vermicompost @ 2 t/ha + 20 kg S/ha + 4 kg Zn/ha (T9), 75% RDF + vermicompost @ 2 t/ha + 20 kg S/ha + 4 kg Zn/ha + seed treatment with biofertilizer consortia (T10). The soils of the experimental sites were sandy loam in texture, acidic in reaction (pH 5.2 and 5.5), medium in organic carbon (0.51 and 0.54%), available N (315.51and 328.71 kg/ha), available K2O (137.5 and 138.42 kg/ha) and available Zn(0.79 and 0.95 mg/kg) while low in available P2O5 (17.80 and 20.45 kg/ha), available S (16.12 and 19.83 kg/ha) and available B(0.21 and 0.25 mg/kg) in both the years, respectively. Experimental findings revealed that application of 100% RDF + vermicompost @ 2 t/ha + 20 kg S/ha + 4 kg Zn/ha + seed treatment with biofertilizer consortia (T5) resulted in significantly higher growth parameters viz., plant height, numbers of leaves per plant, leaf area index, dry matter production per plant and number of primary and secondary branches per plant and the highest yield attributing characters viz. length of siliqua, number of siliquae per plant, number of seeds per siliqua in both the years. The highest seed yield (945.21 and 1025.21 kg/ha in the year 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively) and stover yield (2236.98 and 2292.54 kg/ha in 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively) were also recorded in T5. However, oil content was significantly higher in treatment having 75% RDF + vermicompost @ 2 t/ha + 20 kg S/ha + 4 kg Zn/ha + seed treatment with biofertilizer consortia (T10) but protein content and oil yield of toria in both the years were significantly higher under the treatment T5. Similar effects of this treatment were also observed in respect of N, P, K, S, Zn and B-content in seed and stover and their uptake by seed and stover as well as total uptake as well as in terms of available N, P2O5, K2O, S, Zn and B in soil after the harvest of the crop in both the years. The highest gross return ( 61438.65/ha in 2017-18 and 66638.65/ha in 2018-19) and net return ( 28040.55/ha during 2017-18 and 33240/ha during 2018-19) were also the highest in T5. However, the highest B: C ratio of 2.78 during 2017-18 and 2.91 during 2018-19 were recorded in treatment having 100% RDF (T1).ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF IRRIGATION AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN INDIAN MUSTARD (Brassica juncea) – DIRECT SEEDED AUTUMN RICE (Oryza sativa) CROPPING SYSTEM IN ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Kumar, Bollaveni Sathish; Das, J. C.A field experiment entitled “Effect of irrigation and nutrient management in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) – direct seeded autumn rice (Oryza sativa) cropping system in Assam” was carried out at the Instructional-cum-Research (ICR) Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during two consecutive rabi (Oct- Feb) followed by summer (Feb-June) seasons of 2016 - 2017 and 2017-2018 to evaluate the optimum irrigation and nutrient management practices on growth an yield of the crops. The treatments consisted of four levels of irrigation viz., I0-Rain-fed, I1-IW:CPE=1.20, I2-IW:CPE=1.40 and I3-IW:CPE=1.60 and five levels of nutrient management practices viz., N1- Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), N2 – RDF + FYM @ 5t/ha, N3 -75% RDF (N) + 25% N through FYM, N4- 50% RDF (N) + 50% N through FYM and N5- 50% RDF (N) + 50% N through FYM + Bio-fertilizers (Consortium of Azotobacter and PSB), laid out in a split-plot design with irrigations in the main plots and nutrient management practices in the sub-plots and were replicated thrice. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam in texture, acidic in reaction (pH 5.6), medium in organic carbon (0.65%), low in available N (226.63 kg/ha), available P2O5 (21.18 kg/ha) and available K2O (127.71 kg/ha). The bulk density, field capacity, permanent wilting point and water holding capacity of the soil were 1.38 g/cc, 26.60%, 10.25% and 41.28%, respectively. Results revealed that irrigations at IW:CPE=1.60 followed by IW:CPE=1.40 resulted in higher growth in terms of plant height, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate and branches per plant as well as yield attributes like number and weight of siliquae per plant and number of seeds per siliqua. The effect of these was reflected in higher yield of seed, stover and oil yield under the same irrigation regimes. The maximum values of N, P and K uptake, weed biomass, microbial population, evapotranspiration and total water use were also observed under these treatments. The higher gross and net returns with higher B:C ratio were found under the irrigation regime IW:CPE=1.60. Pooled over two years also showed similar trend on seed yield of Indian mustard. In regards to nutrient management practices, application of 50% RDF (N) + 50% N through FYM + Bio-fertilizers followed by RDF + FYM @ 5t/ha brought about higher values in growth parameters, yield attributes, yield of seed and stover and oil yield and uptake of N, P and K by both seed and stover over rest of the treatments. Pooled data of two years on seed yield of mustard also showed similar trend. The evapotranspiration and total water use and water use efficiency of the crop were also higher under these treatments. However, comparatively higher gross and net returns and B:C ratio associated with the treatment 50% RDF (N) + 50% N through FYM + Bio-fertilizers. In case of direct seeded autumn rice, application of irrigations at IW:CPE=1.60 and IW:CPE=1.40 resulted in statistically similar values in most of the cases of growth parameters viz., plant height, number of tillers, dry matter accumulation and crop growth rate as well as yield attributing characters like number and weight of panicles/m2 and grains per panicle and were higher over lower irrigation regime and rainfed. These led to produce higher yields of grain and straw and thereby resulted in higher uptake of N, P and K by the crop under the said treatments. The favourable influence of the irrigation regime IW:CPE=1.60 was observed on weed biomass, microbial population, evapotranspiration and total water use by the crop in which it recorded higher values over rest of the treatments. Though the cost of cultivation was considerably more with IW:CPE=1.60, it produced higher gross and net returns with higher B:C ratio. Application of 50% RDF (N) + 50% N through FYM + Bio-fertilizers followed by RDF + FYM @ 5t/ha resulted in higher growth parameters, yield attributing characters, grain and straw yields, uptake of N, P and K by the crop and evapotranspiration, total water use and water use efficiency over rest of the treatments. Pooled over two years data also showed at par effect on grain yield of rice due to these treatments. The highest gross and net returns and B: C ratio were observed under 50% RDF (N) + 50% N through FYM + Bio-fertilizers. In regards to Indian mustard-direct seeded autumn rice cropping system, the irrigation regime IW:CPE ratio 1.60 or IW:CPE ratio 1.40 along with the application of 50% RDF (N) + 50% N through FYM + Bio-fertilizers or RDF + FYM @ 5 t/ha found to produce higher rice equivalent yield of the crops as well as gross and net returns and B: C ratio over other practices.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF FERTILITY LEVELS AND MULCHING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF RABI BABY CORN(AAU, Jorhat, 2019-07) Pushpa, Dulla; Kurmi, K.A field experiment entitled “Effect of fertility levels and mulching on growth and yield of rabi baby corn” was carried out at the Instructional-cum-Research (ICR) Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during the rabi season of 2017-18 with a view to evaluate the effect of different fertility levels and mulching on growth and yield of rabi baby corn. The experiment was laid out in a factorial RBD with three replications. The treatments consisted of two different factors, viz., four fertility levels [60-30-30 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1 (F1), 80-40-40 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1 (F2), 100-50-50 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1 (F3) and 120-60-60 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1 (F4)] and three mulching practices [without mulch (M0), mulching with paddy straw of 4 cm thickness (M1) and mulching with paddy straw of 8 cm thickness (M2)]. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam in texture, acidic in reaction (pH 5.6), medium in organic carbon (0.65%) and low in available N (236.63 kg ha-1), P2O5 (22.28 kg ha-1) and K2O (126.71 kg ha-1). Experimental findings revealed that among the fertility levels, 120-60-60 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1 (F4) produced higher plant growth parameters [like plant height, number of green leaves plant-1, dry matter accumulation, LAI], yield attributes [like length and girth of cob with and without husk, weight of cob without husk] and available P2O5 in soil after harvest of baby corn which were statistically comparable with F3 but significantly superior over F2 and F1. Significantly higher number of cobs per plant, cob yield with (92.89 q ha-1) and without (19.45 q ha-1) husk, green fodder yield (38.80 t ha-1), total NPK uptake, available N and K2O in soil after harvest of baby corn were observed at F4 (120-60-60 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1) over rest of the treatments. Among the mulching practices, M2 recorded highest plant height, green leaves per plant, dry matter accumulation, LAI, length and weight of cob (with and without husk), green fodder yield, total K uptake and available K2O in soil after harvest of baby corn which was statistically at par with M1. The levels of mulching recorded significant increase in girth of cob with and without husk, number of cobs per plant, yield of cob with and without husk, total uptake of N and P and available N and P2O5 content in soil after harvest of baby corn. At all intervals, the soil moisture values were found to be highest under mulching with paddy straw of 8 cm thickness (M2). The interaction effect of fertility levels and mulching were found to be significant in case of number of cobs per plant, weight of cob without husk and yield of cob (with and without husk). The maximum number of cobs per plant (3.98) were obtained at F4 (120-60-60 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1) in combination with M2 (mulching with paddy straw of 8 cm thickness) level of mulching. In case of cob weight without husk, highest value was recorded at F3 (100-50-50 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1) in combination with M2 (14.86 g cob-1). In M2 level of mulching, yield of cob with and without husk increased with increasing levels of fertilizer. In terms of economics, the highest gross return ( 211507.93 ha-1), net return ( 164521.80 ha-1) and net return per rupee invested (3.50) were observed at F4 (120-60-60 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1) level of fertilizer in combination with M2 (mulching with paddy straw of 8 cm thickness) level of mulching and lowest at F1 (60-30-30 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1) level of fertilizer in combination with M0 (control) level of mulching.
