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ThesisItem Restricted Host-parasitoid relationship between Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) and Fulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) on sugarcane(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Sharma, Tarun; Shera, P.S.The studies on the “Host-parasitoid relationship between Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) and Fulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) on sugarcane” were conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2019 and 2020. Among the host stages, 4th instar nymphs and adult females were more suitable for the parasitoid, F. melanoleuca in terms of higher larval survival, adult emergence, more proportion of females in the progeny and higher fecundity. The exposure of 1st instar host nymphs to the parasitoid resulted in cent per cent mortality within two days before any signs of parasitism. None of the parasitized 2nd to 4th instar nymphs survived as normal adults as all the parasitized individuals died as nymphs, nymph-adult intermediates or weak adults. However, in case of parasitized 5th instar nymphs, 18.0 per cent adults were normal. The mean longevity of nymphs parasitized in the 3rd, 4th and 5th instars was prolonged significantly; maximum prolongation was in the 4th instar. However, longevity of nymphs parasitized in the 2nd instar was even less than un-parasitized ones. When host adults were offered to the parasitoid, there were significant differences in mortality of parasitized and un-parasitized adults. Further, parasitoid-induced prolongation in the longevity of the surviving parasitized adults was observed for both the sexes. Among different agro-climatic zones, population count of P. perpusilla and F. melanoleuca as well as natural parasitism was more in Jalandhar (central plain zone) as compared to Hoshiarpur (sub-mountainous undulating zone) and Fazilka (Western zone). The parasitoid remained active in overlapping stages during the months of April to November with peak activity in September month at all the locations. It overwintered in cocoon or egg stage on sugarcane trash from December to March months. Among the selected insecticides, chlorpyriphos 20 EC, imidacloprid 17.8 SL and fipronil 5 SC were comparatively toxic to the parasitoid, while pymetrozine 50 WG, chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, flubendiamide 480 SC and flonicamid 50 WG were harmless to moderately harmful. The prolonged pupal period, reduction in adult emergence and decreased adult longevity were the sub-lethal effects in the insecticides, chlorpyriphos 20 EC, imidacloprid 17.8 SL and fipronil 5 SC. Biopesticides (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki 0.5 WP, Metarhizium anisopliae 1.0 WP and Beauveria bassiana 1.0 WP) and botanicals (azadirachtin 1500 and 50000 ppm) were safer to all the stages of F. melanoleuca.ThesisItem Restricted Impacts of agricultural mechanization on avian diversity in Ludhiana district(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Harnoor Kaur; Kler, Tejdeep KaurThe present investigation was carried out to study the impacts of agricultural mechanization on avian diversity at nine selected rice-wheat fields from three locations, Sarabha (Location I), Pakhowal (Location II) and Dangon (Location III) from April 2020 to March 2021. A total of 50 avian species were recorded from the selected fields during the study period. Rock Pigeon (8.63%), Cattle Egret (8.55%), House Crow (8.50%), Common Myna (7.61%), Eurasian Collared Dove (7.17%) and Red-wattled Lapwing (6.46%) were the most abundant species found. During the Kharif season, a total of 48 bird species of 46 genera were recorded while 49 bird species belonging to 45 genera during the Rabi season. The mechanical operations like ploughing, harvesting and other post harvesting operations with disc plough harrow, plougher, combine harvester and straw baller have shown much higher avian species richness and diversity irrespective of the field type. Higher values of species richness and diversity were recorded from the organically cultivated fields and fields with agronomic practices recommended by PAU as compared to fields with conventional cultivation practices. Increase in species richness and diversity was observed during the harvesting and post-harvesting operations due to use of combine harvesters, thresher, straw baller, disc plough harrow and land leveller. As evident from the present study cultivating crops both organically and by following PAU recommended agronomic practices might help in sustaining higher avian species richness and diversity.ThesisItem Restricted Evaluation of larvicidal potential of kinnow peel extracts against Aedes aegypti Linnaeus(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Arshkamaljot Kaur; Kocher, Devinder KaurTransmission of dengue virus by Ae. aegypti mosquito is one of the major global issues. Presently plant based products are in high demand for mosquito control, as they are effective, easily available and eco-friendly. Different types of extracts viz. oil, ethanolic and aqueous were prepared from kinnow peel and tested @ 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80ppm, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25% and 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0% respectively for their larvicidal efficacy against Ae. aegypti 4th instar larvae. Results indicated 70ppm of oil, 0.20% of ethanolic and 9.0% of aqueous extracts as effective larvicidal concentrations. Certain morphological damages and abnormal behavioural activities were observed in the treated larvae. These kinnow peel extracts were found to be highly volatile in nature, as no residual activity in terms of larval mortality occurred in the left over effective concentrations of these extracts. However, residual effect in the form of delayed development (L4 to adult) was observed in all the treated sets in comparison to control and vehicle-control. All kinnow peel extracts were found to have statistically similar larvicidal potential in freshly prepared and stored (2, 4 and 6 months old) extracts, indicating no effect of storage on their larvicidal activity. Thus, the identification of kinnow like plant based oil/extracts having larvicidal properties combined with capacity to damage larvae, alter their behaviour along with delay in developmental phases is the need of hour and should be exploited in future for managing the problem of dengue transmitting vector, Ae. aegypti.ThesisItem Open Access Development of processed products from green chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Palwinder Kaur; Sukhpreet KaurThe present study was carried out to developed processed products from green chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) by utilizing canning and freezing technology. The effect of thermal processing and storage conditions (at ambient temperature for canned products and at -30°C for frozen products) on physico-chemical and phyto-chemical parameters of green chickpeas have been studied. The canning and freezing of green chickpeas were carried at standardized processing conditions. The calcium carbonate treatment effectively maintained the textural properties of green chickpeas during thermal processing. Citric acid effectively maintained the pH and color parameters of brine canned green chickpeas during processing and storage period. Thermal processing significantly (p≤0.05) reduced the phyto-chemical characteristics of green chickpeas as compared to freezing with average loss of 44.0% in total phenolics, 49.80% loss in ascorbic acid content, 42.5% loss in chlorophyll content and 30.5% loss in radical scavenging activity in developed products. During storage, products prepared from both technologies showed retention of phytochemicals with maximum retention observed in frozen products i.e. the average total phenolics, ascorbic acid and radical scavenging activity was retained by 87.0%, 76.50% and 74.0% respectively. Developed products were shelf stable for 6 months at ambient and freezing temperatures with maximum retention of nutritional and sensory characteristics. External and internal can conditions remained satisfactory during the storage period of six months. The condition of LDPE bags was also found satisfactory during low temperature conditions. This indicated that processing conditions adopted for canning and freezing were well maintained.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of rootstocks on growth, yield and fruit quality of Kinnow mandarin(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Mashaal, Jamaluddin; Uppal, Gurteg SinghThe present study entitled "Influence of rootstocks on growth, yield and fruit quality of Kinnow mandarin" was carried out during 2020-21 in the Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Kinnow mandarins budded on six rootstocks viz. Kuharske, Rich 16-6, Swingle, Troyer, Carrizo, and Rough Lemon were used in this study. Carrizo rootstock had the highest mean rootstock: scion diameter ratio (0.94), followed by Rough Lemon (0.92), significantly greater than all other rootstocks. However, the bark thickness of rootstock and scion was significantly higher in Troyer (2.1 mm) and Swingle (2.1 mm) rootstocks, respectively. The largest tree canopy volume of Kinnow trees was recorded on Carrizo rootstock (10.89 m3), significantly higher than all other rootstocks. However, the least was recorded on Swingle rootstock (2.25 m3). The mean fruit weight and fruit yield of Kinnow were significantly higher on Carrizo (186.25 g, 68.27 kg/tree), followed by Rough Lemon (168.58 g, 63.62 kg/tree), which were significantly higher than all other rootstocks. Swingle rootstock had the highest mean yield efficiency (9.77 kg/m3) compared with different rootstocks. A significantly higher photosynthesis rate was recorded on Carrizo (5.41μmol m-2 s-1). Kinnow trees had the highest fruit TSS/acidity (12.94) and juice content (52.5%) budded on Carrizo (12.94), followed by Rough Lemon (11.85, 50.2%) rootstock, which was significantly higher than all other rootstocks. However, Kinnow fruits on Rough Lemon recorded the highest ascorbic acid levels ((31.10 mg/100ml juice), and it was at par with Carrizo (30.25mg/100ml juice). Citrus Colour Index (CCI) values for fruit epicarp, pulp, and juice were the highest on Swingle (24.7), Troyer (11.3), and Carrizo (11.1), respectively, which indicated that these rootstocks had higher colour development. The leaf macro and micronutrient levels were also varied in Kinnow tree budded on different rootstocks. Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium contents were higher in Rich 16-6 (2.45 %), Troyer and Rich 16-6 (0.18 %), and Troyer (0.94%), respectively. The magnesium, zinc, calcium, and iron contents were maximum in Kinnow leaves budded on Swingle rootstock. However, Carrizo recorded significantly higher Mn (54.17 ppm) content. The study concluded that Carrizo and Rough Lemon rootstock are promising rootstocks for Kinnow mandarin for higher fruit quality and yield. Furthermore, Swingle rootstock is highly dwarf rootstock for having higher yield efficiency and better fruit colour development.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of inorganic fertilizers and bioinoculants on biochemical components, growth, yield of garlic (Allium Sativum L.) and nutrient status of soil(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Mamta; Sharma, RajniGarlic (Allium sativum L.) is an economically important vegetable crop which is used worldwide for culinary and medicinal purposes. The present study was conducted on garlic variety “PG-18” in a randomized block design during 2019- 2020. There were nine treatments which included various percentages of inorganic fertilizers (100% NPK, 75% NPK and 50% NPK) in combination with bioinoculants (consortium I and consortium II). Results reveals that supplementation of 75% NPK along with bioinoculants (consortium I or consortium II) gave the superior results than control (100% NPK) for most of traits such as plant growth parameters (plant height, leaf length, leaf width, pseudostem length and bulb diameter), yield attributes (total yield, marketable yield, 50 cloves weight and number of cloves) and biochemical parameters (total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, total phenols and total soluble solids). Moreover, nutrient content (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) of leaves and bulbs of garlic increased by combined inoculation of different combinations of NPK along with bioinoculants. Integrated application of inorganic fertilizers along with bioinoculants improved soil’s physico-chemical (pH and organic carbon) and biological (dehydrogenase activity) properties. Most of the parameters i.e. plant growth, total yield, nutrient, biochemical and soil properties decreased when the dose of 50% NPK supplemented with bioinoculants. Therefore, it can be concluded that integrated utilization of these bioinoculants along with 75% NPK improves soil health and it also offers scope of reducing the application of inorganic fertilizers to garlic crop by 25% without any loss in bulb yield.ThesisItem Open Access In-situ rice residue management and its effect on growth and tuber yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Jasneen Kaur; Harmeet SinghThe present investigation entitled “In-situ rice residue management and its effect on growth and tuber yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)” was carried simultaneously out at two different locations viz. Students’ Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Moga during autumn season of 2019-20. Soil of the experimental field at PAU, Ludhiana was sandy loam in texture with average bulk density of 1.45 g cm-3, normal in reaction (pH 7.40) and electrical conductivity (0.224 ds m-1), low in organic carbon (0.36 per cent) and low in available soil nitrogen (169.4 kg ha-1) and medium in available soil phosphorous (19.6 kg ha-1) and available soil potassium (206.4 kg ha1 ). While at Moga, soil was clay loam in texture with average bulk density of 1.37 g cm-3, normal in reaction (pH 8.1) and electrical conductivity (0.416 ds m-1), medium in organic carbon (0.51 per cent), low in available soil nitrogen (244.6 kg ha-1), high in available soil phosphorous (25.2 kg ha-1) and medium in available soil potassium (286.9 kg ha-1). Present field experiment laid out in strip plot design comprised of twelve treatments which included two straw load treatments which consisted of control (no loose straw) and 7 tonnes/ha straw load in vertical plots and three machinery operations which included harvesting by combine fitted with SMS + Mulcher + Reversible Mould Board Plough + Rotavator, harvesting by combine fitted with SMS + Reversible Mould Board Plough + Rotavator, harvesting by combine fitted with SMS + Disc Harrow + Rotavator and two depth of ploughing (shallow and deep) in horizontal plots with four replications. The results revealed that significantly higher number of plants emerged with straw load of 7 tonnes/ha, harvesting by combine fitted with SMS + Mulcher + Reversible Mould Board Plough + Rotavator machinery operation and deep ploughing treatment. At 70 DAP and maturity, plant height, dry matter accumulation by haulms and tubers, Leaf Area Index were recorded significantly higher with 7 tonnes/ha straw load, harvesting by combine fitted with SMS + Mulcher + Reversible Mould Board Plough + Rotavator machinery operation and deep ploughing treatments. However, plant height, dry matter accumulation by haulms and tubers and Leaf Area Index were not significantly affected at 35 DAP among different treatments. The treatment where 7 tonnes/ha straw load was added produced tuber yield of 27.0 t/ha at Ludhiana which 7.1 per cent higher than control (no loose straw) and at Moga, the tuber yield was 23.5 t/ha which was 8.2 per cent higher than control (no loose straw) treatment. Among machinery operations, harvesting by combine fitted with SMS + Mulcher + Reversible Mould Board Plough + Rotavator machinery operation resulted in 10.9 and 15.6 per cent higher tuber yield at Ludhiana and Moga, respectively than harvesting by combine fitted with SMS + Disc harrow + Rotavator machinery operation. Deep ploughing recorded 12.2 and 7.3 per cent higher tuber yield at Ludhiana and Moga, respectively than shallow ploughing. Similar trend was found for other yield attributes (number of tubers per plant, tuber weight per plant and tuber grading) as for tuber yield was recorded at both the locations. Straw load, machinery operations and depth of ploughing treatments showed no significant influence on chlorophyll index, soil physical and chemical properties (soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, bulk density, soil strength and infiltration rate) after harvest of potato, available soil nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium at 35 DAP, 70 DAP and maturity. Quality parameters failed to show any significant improvement with incorporation of straw load, machinery operations and depth of ploughing treatment. Soil moisture content was found to be significantly affected under different treatments at both the locations at all the stages except at 35 DAP. However, soil temperature was found non-significant under different machinery operations at Ludhiana but was found significant at Moga except at 35 DAP. Higher gross returns, higher net returns with higher benefit cost ratio was obtained when straw load of 7 tonnes/ha was added, harvesting by combine fitted with SMS + Mulcher + Reversible Mould Board Plough + Rotavator machinery operation and deep ploughing treatment.ThesisItem Restricted Foliar nitrogen application under reduced sunlight intensity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Garima; Sandhu, Sandeep SinghThe study entitled, “Foliar nitrogen application under reduced sunlight intensity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)” was conducted at Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bahowal, Hoshiarpur. The soil of experimental field was loamy sand in texture at both the locations, medium in organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at Ludhiana, high in organic carbon and available nitrogen and medium in available phosphorous and potassium at Hoshiarpur. The soil was normal in reaction at both the locations. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications. The 20 treatment combinations comprised of four levels of sunlight intensity (control, 50% reduction in sunlight light intensity from 15-45, 46-75 and 76-105 DAT) and five levels of foliar nitrogen application (control, spray of 3% urea before, midway, afterwards and midway-afterwards the reduction in sunlight intensity). Sunlight intensity was reduced by covering the plots from top (leaving the sides open) with green shade net capable of reducing 50% sunlight intensity. The shade net was placed with the help of GI pipe structures specially prepared for this purpose. Rice variety used in the experiment was PR 122. At harvest, the growth parameters like plant height was significantly increased when sunlight intensity was reduced from 46-75 DAT as compared to control and other parameters like number of tillers m-2 and dry matter accumulation were significantly decreased at harvest when sunlight intensity was reduced from 46-75 DAT as compared to control at both the locations. Maximum reduction in the yield attributes like number of effective tillers m-2, panicle length and number of grains panicle-1 was also observed when there was reduction in sunlight intensity from 46-75 DAT as compared to full sunlight intensity at both the locations. Significantly lowest grain yield (48.70 and 53.44 q ha-1 at Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur, respectively) as compared to other levels of the treatment was recorded with the reduction in sunlight intensity during 46-75 DAT. Reduction in sunlight intensity during any period caused a significant increase in chlorophyll content and minimum cooking time of milled rice, while it significantly decreased the elongation ratio of milled rice as compared to control. All other quality parameters were observed to vary statistically non-significantly with the reduction in the sunlight intensity. The application of foliar nitrogen before the reduction in the sunlight intensity recorded the highest values of growth parameters, yield attributes, grain and biological yield, chlorophyll content and the minimum cooking time of rice.ThesisItem Open Access Productivity and Nutritional Composition of Fish in Relation to Nutritional Quality of Fish Feeds in Some Commercial Fish Ponds of Shri Muktsar Sahib District of Punjab(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Lovepreet Kaur; Sehgal, G.K.The present study evaluated productivity and nutritional composition of a cultured fish species, Labeo rohita (Ham.) in relation to nutritional quality of feeds and on-farm feeding practices in six commercial fish ponds of Shri Muktsar Sahib District of Punjab. The ponds were divided into two groups (3 in each group). The productivity of the pond group 1 was 6.25 to 7.5t ha-1 year-1 and in group 2, it was 4.0 to 5.6 t ha-1 year-1. Nutritional composition of the fish varied seasonally. The moisture content was minimum in summer and maximum in monsoon. Slightly higher moisture content was noticed in the fish from pond group 2 (78.05%) than from the group 1 (77.88%). Crude protein content (CP) was lowest in winter and highest in summer. The fish from the pond group 1 had significantly higher CP content (17%) than those from the group 2 (16.1%). The crude lipid content also remained higher in the fish from pond group 1 than those from the pond group 2 in monsoon and winter (2.01% and 1.80%, respectively). Carbohydrates were highest in summer and lowest in monsoon. There were non-significant differences in carbohydrates between the two groups of ponds. Ash was maximum during summer (2.55%) and minimum in monsoon (1.13%). The fish ash content from group 1 ponds was higher than from the group 2 in summer and monsoon but in group 1 in winter. Gross energy (GE) was highest in summer and lowest in winter. The GE of the fish from the pond group 1 was higher than of those from the group 2. Nonsignificant differences in air and water temperature occurred except in water temperature in winter when it was higher in group 2. Non-significant differences between the two groups of ponds existed in Secchi disc transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, and salinity. Significantly higher dissolved phosphorus was recorded in group 2 in summer and monsoon. The total phytoplankton was higher in group 1 than in group 2 ponds. The average values were 221.31×105/L and 196.46×106/L in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There were seasonal differences in zooplankton also. The total zooplankton number remained significantly higher in pond group 1. The average values were 402.29 No./L and 352.12 No./L in pond groups 1 and 2, respectively. Farmers of ponds 1 and 6 used de-oiled rice bran as fish feed. In ponds 2, 3, 4 and 5 formulated feeds were used. Nutritional composition of fish feeds varied seasonally. Non-significant differences in moisture occurred in monsoon and winter. In summer, it was higher in group 2. Non-significant differences in CP content occurred. Significantly higher CL occurred in group 1 ponds. Non-significant differences existed in carbohydrates. Significantly higher ash content was in group 1 ponds. Aflatoxins were detected in all the feeds given in all the six ponds. Daily ration size was 2% of body weight per day except in pond 3 where it was 3%. Feeding frequency and time of feeding was once in the morning. The feed dispensing method was broadcasting except in ponds 3 and 4 where perforated sacs/drums were used. Crude protein and crude lipid of feeds had major effect on nutritional composition of fish.
