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2016 - 20206
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Author: Gagandeep Kaur × End date: 2020 × Start date: 2000 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    Effects of tillage, irrigation regimes and nitrogen rates on productivity of canola in a loamy sand soil
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020) Gagandeep Kaur; Singh, C. B.
    Extensive cultivation of rice-wheat cropping system has led to fall of ground water table in Punjab. Thus, oilseed crops can be used as an alternative due to lower water requirement. A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of the Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, during rabi 2018-19 to study the individual and combined effects of deep tillage, irrigation and nitrogen rates on yield and productivity of canola (Brassica napus). The treatments included combinations of two tillage systems viz; deep tillage (DT) and conventional tillage (CT), with four irrigation regimes viz; no irrigation (I0), one irrigation (I1), two irrigations (I2) and three irrigations (I3) in main plots and four nitrogen (N) rates viz; 0 (N0), 50 (N50), 75 (N75) and 100 (N100) kg ha-1 in sub plots with three replications. Lower soil moisture content was recorded under DT as more soil moisture was utilized by the crop in this treatment resulting in lower soil moisture storage. Soil penetration resistance reduced under deep tillage. Maximum rooting depth (180 cm) was obtained with irrigation and 100 kg N ha-1. Root density in upper 60 cm soil depth was higher in I2 followed by I1 and I0 irrigation regimes whereas below 60 cm, it was higher under I0. Higher root density was recorded under DT and N100 plots. Irrigation and N application significantly increased plant height, relative leaf water content, dry matter accumulation (DMA) and SPAD value at all growth stages however, tillage only affected DMA significantly. Yield attributes improved under I2DTN100. Seed yield significantly increased under DT (9.6 %) and I2 (25 % over I0) treatment. Seed yield recorded under N100 was 9.1 q ha-1 higher over N0. Water productivity improved with DT and N100. Oil yield and N uptake significantly increased with successive increments of N rate and irrigation frequency. Higher nitrogen rates at low irrigation frequency resulted in yield similar to low nitrogen rates at higher irrigation frequency. Yield produced under DT with one irrigation was equivalent to that produced under CT with two irrigations, suggesting saving of irrigation water.
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    Incidence of poverty amongst agricultural labour, marginal and small farmers in central Punjab
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Gagandeep Kaur; Arjinder Kaur
    The present study was undertaken to examine the extent of poverty and identify the determinants causing it amongst agricultural labour, marginal and small farmers in central Punjab. For this study, data were collected from 120 households of two districts in central Punjab. The study revealed thatincidence of poverty was more in agricultural labour category followed by marginal farm category. None of the small farmer was found living below the poverty line. The proportion of deficit households was more in agricultural labour category due to their low incomes. In small farm category the proportion of deficit households was more as compared to marginal farm category on account of higher expenditure on non-food items and social ceremonies. The regression coefficient of number of earners was found to be positive and significant determinant of poverty amongst the sampled categories in central Punjab. Family size and expenditure on social ceremonies were found to be negatively significant determinants of poverty. So, there is a need to create more employment opportunities as well as awareness programs to control the family size. Farmers need to rationalize their household expenditure especially on non-food items and social ceremonies which can enhance the surpluses of farming families.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Adoption status of food preservation practices disseminated through vocational training courses of Krishi Vigyan Kendras
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Gagandeep Kaur; Kanwaljit Kaur
    The study was conducted to assess the adoption status of food preservation practices disseminated through vocational training courses of Krishi Vigyan Kendras in Punjab. Nine Krishi Vigyan Kendras i.e. Amritsar, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Mukatsar Sahib, Jalandhar, Moga and Ludhiana were selected to conduct the study. These Krishi Vigyan Kendras had organized twenty three short duration courses from year 2011 to 2013. Out of 582 women trainees who had attended the vocational training courses of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, 179 trainees constituted the sample of study. Data were collected through self structured interview schedule. Majority of trainees were belonged to schedule caste category. Large majority of trainees had low level of mass media exposure. Vocational training was assessed in terms of adoption status, extent of adoption and level of use of training. Training on pappad and vadian, chawanparash and preserves/Murabha had achieved the highest adoption status. Lowest adoption status was observed in sun drying of vegetable, pickle making and preparation of squashes. Adoption status of majority of practices in terms of its use at household level was high. But practices related to recommended quantity of food preservator were either not adopted or discontinued. Extent of adoption of different practices on food preservation training course was also observed high. Only one percent of trainees had established an enterprise after receiving training and two percent were using training for income generation purpose. Major constraint for non-establishment of an enterprise was weak financial position. It can be concluded that awareness regarding financial assistance provided by the government to start an enterprise should be created to trainees. The trainees also suggested that transport facility should be provided to them for attending on-campus training course.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Diversification of rural economy: A village study
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Gagandeep Kaur; Raj Kumar
    The present study has been carried out in village Lohara of District Sri Muktsar Sahib (Punjab) to study the changing faces of rural economy through crop and occupational diversification of. A sample of 225 households was selected by using multistage random sampling technique.The sample consists of 104 households from farm sector and 121 households from non-farm sector. The farm households were further categorized as small (16), semi-medium (28), medium (48) and large (12) farmers according to the standard classification. The information regarding overtime changes in cropping pattern, employment and income pattern, investment pattern on farm and livestock, standard of living and factors influencing diversification was collected for the two periods of time viz. 2000-01 and 2016-17. Herfindahl-Hirschman Diversification Index (DI) was computed for both the periods under study to capture and compare the level of crop diversification. Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare any significant difference between DI for two time periods. The crop diversification index for Kharif season was found to be increased significantly in 2016-17 over 2000-01. It was due to the shift of area towards non-basmati and basmati paddy, the strongest alternatives of cotton crop. It happened because of the failure of cotton crop due to adverse biotic and abiotic conditions such as insect pest attacks, untimely rains, etc. which resulted in poor returns from the crop. Besides, the government policies and marketing facilities in favour of paddy also attracted farmers for its cultivation. The farm investment in machinery, implements and farm buildings is found to be increased over the period of time. The analysis of occupational diversification showed that the proportion of persons in employed in agriculture and its allied activities has reduced overtime. On the other hand the employment in non-farm sector has increased. In the non-farm sector, highest proportion of persons was observed as wage earners followed by the self employees in 2016-17. The major constraints to agricultural diversification especially for not shifting from paddy-wheat cropping pattern to other crops are lack of market infrastructure, price volatility, productivity risk, marketing risk, weak resource base and high input costs. Barriers to growth leading occupational diversification reported were educational level, caste hierarchy, lack of skills, lack of opportunities and requirement of high investment in self-employment. To promote crop diversification in the state there is need to implement price difference payment scheme, development of value addition and food processing sector. Farmer Producer Organizations need to be encouraged through favourable government policies. Upliftment of educational status and skill base is suggested for growth leading occupational diversification.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Changing bird community due to modernization of houses and environmental contamination in rural areas
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2018) Gagandeep Kaur; Kler, Tejdeep Kaur
    The present work was planned to investigate the impact of modernization of houses and environmental contamination on bird community in two villages falling in two districts of Punjab. The study was carried out in village Rampur Channa (location I) district Sangrur and village Dargapur (location II) district Patiala. Bird data had shown the presence of 43 and 39 bird species at location I and II respectively. The architectural variations of houses seemed to effect the species diversity and abundance. A total of 35 and 32 bird species were observed in different types of houses at location I and II respectively. Traditional houses supported cavity/hole nesters while modern houses provided more roosting, perching and feeding sites having diverse vegetation to different bird species. Common Myna, Blue Rock Pigeon and House Crow were most abundant species observed common to different types of houses at both the locations. Overall 15 nesting bird species were noted at both studied areas. Different nesting sites were preferred by different bird species. These nesting site preferences seemed to be related to housing structures, tress/shrubs /ornamental plants and nest predation at both the said locations. The detailed observations on breeding activities of seven bird species were noted. The results of heavy metal analysis showed varying levels of heavy metals in the excreta of Blue Rock Pigeon and Indian Peafowl. More level of heavy metals was noted at location I than at location II. No pesticide residue was estimated in the excreta of Blue Rock Pigeon and Indian Peafowl. The diverse vegetation preferred by most of the birds must popularized among the villagers to conserve avian diversity.
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    ThesisItemRestricted
    Synthesis and evaluation of magnesium zinc ferrite nanoparticles as adsorbent for removal of methylene blue dye
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Gagandeep Kaur; Manpreet Kaur
    The objective of this work is to study the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye solution using magnesium zinc ferrite nanoparticles (MZ NPs) synthesized by combustion method. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), urea and oxalyl dihydrazide (ODH) were used as fuel for synthesis and metal nitrates were used as oxidizers. The synthesized MZ NPs were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, VSM, SEM-EDS and TEM analysis. SEM images showed particle agglomeration. XRD confirmed formation of spinel MZ NPs. TEM images taken by water dispersion method clearly depict ultra-fine, well dispersed spherical MZ NPs. Batch adsorption studies were carried out and the effect of experimental parameters like - pH, amount of adsorbents, contact time and temperature were studied. The maximum adsorption of MB was achieved at pH 10. Percentage removal of MB increased with increase in adsorbent dose. ΔHo was reported to be positive for MZ NPs which confirmed endothermic nature of adsorption. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms fit the data better than D-R isotherms. The trend for the percentage removal of MB dye by MZ NPs and activated charcoal in the ascending order was PEG < ODH < Urea < Charcoal. The advantage of MZ NPs over activated charcoal is their role as photocatalyst for degradation of dye