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Anand Agricultural University, Anand
Anand Agricultural University (AAU) was established in 2004 at Anand with the support of the Government of Gujarat, Act No.(Guj 5 of 2004) dated April 29, 2004. Caved out of the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU), the dream institution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. K. M. Munshi, the AAU was set up to provide support to the farming community in three facets namely education, research and extension activities in Agriculture, Horticulture Engineering, product Processing and Home Science. At present there seven Colleges, seventeen Research Centers and six Extension Education Institute working in nine districts of Gujarat namely Ahmedabad, Anand, Dahod, Kheda, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Mahisagar, Botad and Chhotaudepur
AAU's activities have expanded to span newer commodity sectors such as soil health card, bio-diesel, medicinal plants apart from the mandatory ones like rice, maize, tobacco, vegetable crops, fruit crops, forage crops, animal breeding, nutrition and dairy products etc. the core of AAU's operating philosophy however, continues to create the partnership between the rural people and committed academic as the basic for sustainable rural development. In pursuing its various programmes AAU's overall mission is to promote sustainable growth and economic independence in rural society. AAU aims to do this through education, research and extension education. Thus, AAU works towards the empowerment of the farmers.
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ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF SOWING/TRANSPLANTING METHODS, SOWING TIME, ROW SPACING AND FERTILIZER LEVELS ON YIELD OF MUSTARD [Brassica Juncea (L.) Czern and Coss](AAU, Anand, 1997) Desai, Harivadan V.; PATEL, T. D.A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil of Agronomy Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand during the rabi season of the year 1991-92 to study the "Effect of Sowing/ Transplanting Methods, Sowing time. Row Spacing and Fertilizer Levels on Yield of Mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss]". Twenty four treatments comprising of all possible combinations of two levels of sowing dates viz., 25th October and 14th November, two methods of sowing viz.. Drilling and Transplanting, two spacings viz., 30cm x 10cm and 45cm x 10cm and three levels of fertilizer viz., 25 + 25 + 0 NPK kg/ha, 50 + 50 + 0 NPK kg/ha and 75 + 75 + 0 NPK kg/ha were tried in split plot design with four replications. Sowing dates, methods of sowing and spacing were relegated to the main plots whereas fertilizers levels were taken as subplot treatments. The results indicated that the plant height, number of primary and secondary branches/plant, number of pods/plant, seeds/pod, seed weight and test weight were significantly more under 25th October sowing than the later sowing (14th November). The mustard seed and stover yields were also higher under early sown crop than the sowing at later date. Sowing on 25th October (2325 kg/ha) gave 42.28 per cent higher seed yield over 14th November (1634 kg/ha) sown crop. Maximum net profit of Rs. 15715/ha was obtained with 25th October sown crop. Drilling method of sowing recorded appreciably higher plant height, number of primary and secondary branches/plant, number of pods/ plant, number of pods/plant, seeds/pod, seed weight and test weight and also the seed and stover yields. The seed yield recorded with drilling method (2221 kg/ha) was 27.71 per cent higher than the transplanted crop. The drilling method also recorded maximum net profit of Rs. 14936/ha. Different levels of spacing viz., 30cm x 10cm and 45cm x 10cm were significantly superior for all growth as v/ell as yield attributes and stover yield but seed yield of mustard was not significantly changed due to spacing. However, net profit obtained under both the spacings was almost identical. Fertilizing mustard with 75 + 75 + 0 NPK kg/ha recorded significantly higher plant height, number of primary and secondary branches/ plant, number of pods/plant, seeds/pod, seed weight, test weight and seed and stover yields over lower levels of fertilizers. The seed yield (2206 kg/ ha) recorded with 75 + 75 + 0 NPK kg/ha was 31.46 and 7.29 percent higher over 25 + 25 + 0 NPK kg/ha and 50 + 50 + 0 NPK kg/ha, respectively. This level of fertilizer also recorded maximum net profit of Rs.9562/ha and was found to be optimum. Sowing on 25th October produced significantly higher oil yield (917 kg/ha) than 14th November sown crop. Early sown crop (25th October) gave 42.83 percent higher oil yield over 14th November sown crop. But oil content of seed was not affected significantly due to sowing time. Between methods of sowing /planting^ drilling gave significantly higher oil yield (873 kg/ha) than the transplanting. The percent increase in oil yield was 27.44 under drilled crop over transplanted one. However, oil content was not significantly affected due to different methods of sowing. Different levels of spacing did not make significant variation in oil content and oil yield of mustard crop. Application of 75 + 75 +0 NPK kg/ha gave significantly higher oil yield (854 kg/ha) of mustard. Contrary to the above findings oil content was found to decrease with the increase in levels of fertilizer application. Based on the results from one year experimentation, it seems quite logical to indicate that potential production and profit from mustard crop can be secured by sowing on 25th October by adopting drilled method spaced at 30cm or 45cm row spacing and fertilized with 75 + 75 + 0 NPK kg/ha on loamy sand soil of middle Gujarat.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF FYM, PHOSPHORUS, GROWTH STIMULANTS AND MULCH ON GERMINATION, GROWTH AND YIELD OF SUMMER GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L.)(AAU, Anand, 1997) Patel, P. R.; Upadhyay, P. N.A field experiment was conducted at the College Agronomy Farm, B.A.College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand during summer season of the year 1995 to study the effect of FYM, phosphorus, growth stimulants and mulch on germination, growth and yield of summer groundnut (Arachis hvpoaaea L.) . 'The soil of the experimental plot was loamy sand in texture having good drainage with 7.8 pH. The soil was deficient in nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and fairly high in available potash. Forty treatment combination involving two levels, each of FYM (0 and 10 t ha-1) and phosphorus (0 and 50 kg P2O5 ha-1) coupled with five levels of growth stimulants (Control, Humic acid seed treatment, Humic acid foliar spray, Humic acid seed treatment + Humic acid foliar spray and M.S.Ill N foliar spray) and two levels of mulch (unmulched and mulched). The experiment was laid out in a split - split plot design with three replication, wherein combination of FYM levels and phosphorus levels were embeded in main plots growth stimulants in sub plots while mulch were assigned to sub-sub plots. The results revealed that application of FYM had significantly increased the plant height at 20 DAS and at harvest, number of pegs per plant, number of mature pods per plant, shelling percentage, test weight, pod yield, haulm yield, oil content and reduced the number of immature pods per plant, whereas, weed count at 7 DAS and weed dry weight remain unaffected by the application of FYM. Application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 gave more pod yield over no FYM application. Application of phosphorus did not show significant influence on any of the growth attributes, viz., plant height, number of primary branches per plant and on the yield attributes and yield viz., number of mature pods per plant, number of immature pods per plant, shelling percentage, test weight, pod yield, haulm yield and oil content, however, plant height at 20 DAS and pegs per plant were influenced significantly. Growth stimulants (Humic acid and MS-III N) did not show its effect on any growth attributes, yield attributes and yield except plant height (cm) at harvest and number of pegs per plant. Mulching the soil with black polythene significantly influenced the seed germination at 7 DAS however at 20 DAS it did not exert significant influence on seed germination. Weed count and weed dry weight were significantly reduced due to mulching with black polythene. Mulching with black polythene significantly influenced the plant height at 20 DAS and at harvest, number of pegs per plant, number of mature pods per plant, shelling percentage, test weight, pod yield and haulm yield. The number of immature pods per plant were significantly reduced due to mulching, the number of primary branches per plant and oil content was not influenced significant due to mulching with black polythene.ThesisItem Open Access RESPONSE OF POTATO (Solanum tuberosum, L.) VARIETIES TO PLANTING DATES AND PLANT PROTECTION MEASURES FOR EARLY BLIGHT UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT CONDITION(AAU, Anand, 1997) PATEL, CHANDUBHAI N.; PATEL, T. D.A field experiment was carried out on loauy sand soil of College Agronomy Farm, B.A. College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand to study the "Response of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties to planting dates and plant protection measures for early blight under middle Gujarat condition" during rabi 1995-96. Eighteen treatments comprising all possible combinations of three levels of planting dates (22nd November, 5th December and 21st December), two varieties (Kufri Badshah and Kufri Lauvkar) as well as three levels of mancozeb (0.2%) sprays (no spray, one spray at the time of appearance of the disease symptoms of early blight and two sprays of which one spray at the time of appearance of the disease symptoms of early blight and second spray at 15 days after first spray) were tried in split plot design with four replications. Planting dates were relegated in main plots and combinations of varieties and number of mancozeb (0.2%) sprays were allotted to sub-plots. During the period of investigation, the crop growth and yield attributes studied were plant emergence at 15 and 30 DAP, periodical plant height at 30,40,50,60 and 70 DAP, number of stems and leaves per plant, leaf area index, dry weight of top per plant and number and weight of tubers per plant at 50 DAP, early blight disease severity, number and weight of large, medium and small sized tubers as well as all grade tubers per five plants at harvest, tuber yield and economics for each of the factor and the treatments. The results indicated that number and weight of large and medium size tubers per five plants and total weight of all grades tubers per five plant at harvest were recorded the highest under D1 (22nd November) planting date but differences in values of these characters were not remarkable between Di (22nd November) and D2 (5th December) planting dates. However, tuber yield obtained under D1 (22nd November) was significantly recorded higher (18.48 t ha-1 M over that the crop planted on D2 (5th December) and D3 (21st December) planting dates. The planting date D2 (5th December) and D3 (2lst December) recorded 15.49 and 7.92 ha-1 . tuber yields. treatment D1 (22nd November) was found superior in recording the values of most of the growth and yield attributing characters such as plant height at 40,50, 60 and 70 DAP, leaf area index, dry weight of top and number of tubers per plant at 50 DAP, leaf area index, dry weight of top and number of tubers per plant at 50 DAP, The same treatment also recorded the least early blight severity over other planting dates. The maximum net return of Rs. 40578 ha- 1 was also obtained under the crop planted on D1 (22nd November) with CBR of 1:2.22. The variety V1 (Kufri Badshah) proved significantly superior over V2 (Kufri Lauvkar) in terms of tuber yield. The variety V1 (Kufri Badshah) gave significantly the highest tuber yield of 15.25 t ha-1. The variety V1 (Kufri Badshah) recorded significantly the highest plant height at 40,50,60 and 70 DAP, number of leaves, leaf area index and dry weight of top per plant at 50 DAP, least early blight severity, number and weight of large sized tubers as well as all grades tubers, weight of small sized tubers per five plants at harvest and tuber yield. On other hand, variety V2 (Kufri Lauvkar) only showed its significant superiority over Vi in respect of plant emergence percentage at 15 and 30 DAP. Variety V2 (Kufri Badshah) gave the net profit of Rs. 27003 ha-1 which was Rs. 8850 higher than variety V2 (Kufri Lauvkar). The variety V1 also gave the highest CBR of 1:1.79. Plant height at 70 DAP, early blight disease severity and tuber yield were remarkably influenced due to number of mancozeb (0.2%) sprays. Spraying level S2 (two spray) significantly increased plant height at 70 DAP and reduced disease severity of early blight and thereby increased tuber yield. The spray S2 (two spray) recorded significantly the highest tuber yield of 15.28 t ha-1 . Plant emergence at both periods of 15 and 30 DAP, plant height at 50 and 60 DAP, number of stems and leaves, leaf are index, dry weight of top, number and weight of tubers per plant at 50 DAP, and number and weight of small, medium and large as well as all grades tubers per five plants at harvest were significantly not altered due to number of mancozeb (0.2%) sprays. Treatment S2 (two spray) recorded maximum net return of Rs. 27318 ha-1 with CBR 1:1.81. During the course of investigation, the significant interaction between D x V was observed in plant emergence at 15 and 30 DAP, plant height at 40 DAP, leaf area index and dry weight of top per plant at 50 DAP, number and weight of small and all grades tubers per five plants at harvest as well as tuber yield. The interaction V x S and D X V X S were also observed significant in plant height at 60 and 70 DAP and leaf are index as well as number of medium sized tubers per five plants at harvest. Likewise, significant interaction was also observed between D x S, V X S, D x P, V X P and S x P in case of disease severity of early blight at 46, 56 and 76 DAP. The treatment combination D1V1S2 i.e. variety Kufri Badshah planted on 22nd November with two sprays of mancozeb (0.2%) ranked top in respect of tuber yield (23.33 t ha-1 M and net profit of Rs. 58703 ha-1.ThesisItem Open Access RESPONSE OF MUSTARD (Brassica juncea L.) VARIETIES TO TIME OF N APPLICATION AND THINNING UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT CONDITIONS(AAU, Anand, 1997) Patel, Rakeshkumar Jashbhai; Patel, T. D.A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil at College Agronomy Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand during rabi season of 1995-96 to study the "Response of Mustard Varieties to Time of N Application and Thinning Under Middle Gujarat Conditions". Eighteen treatment comprising of three varieties (Varuna, GM 1 and GM 2), two times of N application (Full N as basal and half N as basal + half N at 30 DAS) and three times of thinning (20, 25 and 30 DAS) were tried in randomized block design with four replications. 'Among different varieties tried, variety GM 2 produced significantly higher seed yield (2144.54 kg ha-1 ) than other varieties. This variety also recorded the higher values of number of primary and secondary branches per plant, number of seeds per sillqua, number of sillquae per plant, stover yield and oil yield. The higher plant height and test weight was recorded under variety Varuna. Variety Gujarat mustard 2 also showed its superiority over variety Varuna in almost all the characters studied. Plant population and P content of stover was remained unaffected due to varieties. The maximum-net realization of Rs. 11763.83 ha-1 with the CBR 1:3.18 was also recorded higher under Gujarat mustard 2. Significantly higher seed (2072.75 kg ha-1) and stover yields (4355 kg ha-1) were recorded under splits application of N (half N as basal + half N at '30 DAS) than full nitrogen given as basal. The yield and yield attributes like plant height, number of primary and secondary branches per plant, number of siliquae per plant, harvest index, oil yield and N content of stover and P content of seed and stover were also recorded significantly higher under this treatment. However, plant population, length of sillqua, number of seeds per siliqua, test weight, oil and protein content and N content of seed were not influenced by the time of N application. Split application of N also gave the maximum net realization of Rs. 11264.88 ha-1 with the GBR of 1:3.12. Thinning the crop at 26 DAS produced the higher seed yield than plant thinned at 20 and 30 DAS. However, there was no much variation in seed yield among thinning treatment.' This treatment also recorded the higher values of number of primary and secondary branches per plant, number of seeds per siliqua, stover and oil yields. However, plant thinned at 30 DAS produced taller plant during initial growth stage upto 50 DAS. The plant population, length of siliqua, number of siliquae per plant, test weight, harvest index, oil and protein content of seed and N and P content of seed and stover remained unaffected due to the various thinning treatments. Thinning at 25 DAS also gave the maximum net realization of Rs. 11995.83 ha-1 with the GBR of 1:3.04. During the course of investigation, the interaction effect between variety x time of N application was found significant with respect to plant height at 70 DAS, number of primary and secondary branches per plant, protein and N content of seed. Likewise, significant interaction between time of N application x time of thinning was also observed for number of primary branches per plant and stover yield. Based on one year experimentation, it is concluded mustard variety GM-2 gives higher seed yield and net realization when plants were thinned at 25 DAS and recommended dose of N applied in two splits, half at sowing and half 30 DAS under middle Gujarat agro-climatic conditions.ThesisItem Open Access RESPONSE OF CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum L.) VARIETIES TO IRRIGATION, NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT CONDITIONS(AAU, Anand, 1997) CHAUDHARI, RAMESH K.; PATEL, T. D.A field experiment was carried out on sandy clay loam soil at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Gujarat Agricultural .university, Devataj (Sojitra) to study the "Response of chickpea (Cicer arietlnum L.) varieties to irrigation, nitrogen and phosphorus under middle Gujarat conditions" during rajbi season of 1995-96. Thirty two treatments comprising all possible combinations of two levels of irrigation (no irrigation and irrigation at flowering and pod development stages), four varieties (Chafa, Phule G-5, lCCC-4 and Dahod Yellow) as well as two levels each of nitrogen (0 and 20 kg N ha-1) and phosphorus (0 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) were tried in split split plot design with four replications. Irrigation levels were relegated to main plots, varieties to sub-plots and combinations of nitrogen and phosphorus were allotted to sub-sub plots. Irrigating the crop at flowering and pod development stages significantly recorded the highest grain yield (828.17 kg ha-1), while straw yield was not markedly influenced due to irrigation treatments. Irrigation treatments failed to manifest significant effect on plant height, number of primary and secondary branches plant-1, number of flowers plant-1, number of pods plant-1, number of grains pod-1 and 100 seed weight, however, slightly higher values of these characters were recorded under irrigation at flowering and pod development stages. Pod length, harvest index and protein content were significantly higher under irrigation at flowering and pod development stages than no irrigation. The same treatment also recorded the maximum net realization of Rs. 3 621 ha-1 with CBR of 1:1.55. Among different varieties tried the Dahod Yellow being at par with variety lCCC-4 registered significantly higher grain yield (839.82 kg ha-1) than other varieties. While, variation in straw yield among different varieties were not large. Variety Dahod Yellow followed by variety lCCC-4 recorded the highest number of primary and secondary branches plant-1 number of flowers plant-1, number of pods plant-1 and harvest index. On the other hand, variety Phule G-5 showed its superiority over rest of the varieties in respect of plant height, pod length, 100 seed .weight and protein content. Number of grains pod-1 was not significant due to varieties. Variety Dahod Yellow gave the maximum net realization of Rs. 4151 ha-1 with CBR of 1:1.67. Significantly higher grain yield (848.85 kg ha-1) and straw yield (1444.91 kg ha-1) were recorded under 20 kg N ha-1 than no nitrogen, similarly, plant height, number of primary and secondary branches plant-1, number of flowers plant-1% number of pods plant-1, number of grains pod-1, pod length, 100 seed weight, harvest index and protein content were also recorded significantly higher under the same treatment. The highest net realization of Ra. 3978 ha-1 with CBR of 1:1.61 was recorded under 20 kg N ha-1 significantly the highest grain yield (83 7.01 kg ha-1) and straw yield (1440 kg ha-1) were produced under 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 Likewise, growth and yield attributes such as plant height, number of primary and secondary branches plant-1, number of flowers plant-1, number of pods plant-1, number of grains pod-1, pod length and 100 seed weight as well as harvest index and protein content were significantly higher under 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 than no phosphorus. The same treatment also registered the maximum net realization of Rs. 3518 ha-1 with CBR of 1:1.52.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT IN CHILLI ( Capsicum annum L. )(AAU, Anand, 1997) Patel, Pareshkumar N.; BAREVADIA, T. N.A field investigation was carried out during kharif season of 1995-96 on loamy sand soil of College Agronomy Farm under AICRP on Weed Control, B.A. College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand entitled "Studies on Integrated Weed Management in Chilli (Capsicum annum L.). Fourteen weed management treatments comprising five herbicides viz., fluchloralin 1.0 kg/ha, pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha, metolachlor 1.0 kg/ha, oxadiazon 0.5 kg/ha and oxyfluorfen 0.24 kg/ha each applied at two times pretransplanting as well as post-transplanting and each combined with onehand weeding at 45 DAT were compared with black plastic mulch, farmers' practice,repeated weedings and untreated check under randomized block design with four replications. Pre-transplant herbicides were applied three days before transplanting of chilli whereas post-transplant application were made three days after transplanting with the help of knapsack sprayer fitted with a flatefan nozzle using 500 litre water/ha of spray solution. The net plot size was 8.64 m2. The chilli crop (cv. Jwala) was transplanted on 25*^ August, 1995 with row spacing of 60 x 60 cm. The crop received an uniform dose of 100 kg nitrogen/ha in form of urea, 50 kg phosphorus/ha as DAP, 50 kg potash/ha as murate of potash and seventeen irrigations. The crop was uprooted on 26th February, 1996 after 8 fruit pickings. The total rainfall received during the crop growth period was 557.4 mm in 30 rainy days. The efficacy of treatments were assessed by recording dry weight of weeds at various growth stages and fruit yield of chilli. Application of fluchloralin (1.0 kg/ha), pendimethalin (1.0 kg/ha), metolachlor (1.0 kg/ha), oxadiazon (0.5 kg/ha) and oxyfluorfen (0.24 kg/ha) gave an effective control of Eraarostis ma.ior Host., Digitaria sanguanalis (L.) Scop., pactvloctenium aegyptium (L.) P. Beauv., Euphorbia hirta L., and Vernonia cinereaL. Fluchloralin and pendimethalin did not control Phyllanthus niruri L. satisfactorily. Metolachlor failed to control Boerhavia diffusa L. but found effective against Cyperus spp. The study indicated that farmers' practice (3HH + 3HW) was the most effective in controlling weeds (WCE 75.9 to 100 %). Manual weeing thrice (15, 45 nd 75 DAT) was the next best treatment. Among integrated treatments, pretransplant application of oxadiazon 0.5 kg/ha + HW at 45 DAT (WCE 74.7 % and HEI 2.54 %) and post-transplant application of fluchloralin 1.0 kg/ha + HW at 45 DAT (WCE 65.6 % and HEI 1.74 %) proved highly beneficial in exterminating weed flora without adverse effect on crop growth. Of the different weed control treatments, the highest green fruit yield of chilli was obtained under farmers' practice (129.38 q/ha), followed by manual weeding thrice (104.14 q/ha), pre-transplant application of oxadiazon 0.5 kg/ha plus HW at 45 DAT (39.72 q/ha) and posttransplant application of fluchloralin 1.0 kg/ha + HW at 45 DAT (89.15 q/ha). Plant growth as well as yield attributing characters where higher under these treatments. The lowest fruit yield (35.64 q/ha) of chilli was recorded under weedy check with 72.45 % weed index which was at par with black plastic mulch treatment (47.18 q/ha). Post-transplant application of metolachlor 1.0 kg/ha and oxyfluorfen 0.24 kg/ha indicated phytotoxicity on crop seedlings initially whereas, pre-transplant application of metolachlor 1.0 kg/ha showed toxicity at later stage. Weed control practices restricted the nutrient removal by weeds substantially compared with the unweeded check. Weeds removed 94.24,'44.44 and 96.35 kg of N, P2O5 and K2O per hectare, respectively. The highest net return (Rs. 44,373/ha) was obtained by the conventional method followed by repeated weedings (Rs. 30,403/ha), pre-transplant application of oxadiazon 0.5 kg/ha + HW 45 DAT (Rs. 29,395) and posttransplant application of fluchloralin 1.0 kg/ha + HW at 45 DAT (Rs. 23,920). The benefit : cost ratio were also higher in these treatments (2.15 to 3.18). The present study thus indicated that conventional method (3HH + 3HW) and manual weeding thrice (15, 45, and 75 DAT) vere most effective methods of weed control. Under integrated approach, pre-transplant application of oxadiazon 0.5 kg/ha + HW at 45 DAT and post-transplant application of fluchloralin 1.0 kg/ha + HW at 45 DAT were found most efficient and economical one.ThesisItem Open Access INTERACTIVE EFFECT OF WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CHICORY (Cichorium intybus L.)(AAU, Anand, 1997) Bahecharbhai, Patel Narsinhbhai; BAREVADIA, T. N.A field investigation was carried out during rabi season of 1995-96 on sandy loam soil of College Agronomy Farm, B.A. College of Agriculture Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand. There were fourteen weed management treatments comprising two dinitroaniline herbicides viz., fluchloralin (Basalin 45 EC) and trifluralin (Treflan 48 EC) each applied as pre-emergence (PE) (0.5 kg/ha) and pre plant incorporation (PPI) at 0.5 and 1.0 kg/ha. These treatments were combined with one hand weeding at 45 DAS (integrated treatments). Twice hand weeding at 25 and 50 DAS (traditional method) and weedy check were included for comparison. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with four replications. All the recommended agronomic practices were adopted. The study indicated that Eragrostis major Host, Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop., and Eleusine indica L. were completely controlled by the application of either fluchloralin or trifluralin under lower (0.5 kg/ha) dose also. Among dicot weeds, Chenopodium album L., Chenopodium murale L. and Phyllanthus niruri L. were partially controlled by these herbicides. Chenopodium album L. was major weed species which showed 77.6 per cent intensity at 30 DAS in a weedy check treatment. Among herbicidal treatments, trifluralin @ 1.0 kg/ha applied as PPI registered minimum dry weight of weeds upto 45 days from the sowing, while at the same rate fluchloralin showed less dry weight as compared to trifluralin at later stages. Supplementation of one hand weeding at 45 DAS with the application of fluchloralin or trifluralin had notably increased weed control efficiency (100 %) and it was comparable to traditional practice of hand weeding twice at 25 and 50 DAS. Maximum removal of nutrient was observed in a weedy check treatment. But among herbicidal treatments trifluralin @ 0.5 kg/ha as PE recorded the highest uptake of N (53.10 kg/ha), P2O5 (24.60 kg/ha) and K2O (99.20 kg/ha) at harvest. Thus, this treatment saved about 56 per cent depletion of major nutrients over weedy check. Plant population was significantly reduced when fluchloralin or trifluralin was applied as PPI at lower rate, but it showed favourable condition for better development in root girth. Leaf length was significantly affected at various stages of growth. Between two methods, PPI showed slightly longer leaf size and higher fresh weight than PE under fluchloralin treated plots. Integrated treatments showed superiority over herbicides applied alone in improving vegetative growth. Number of leaves/plant, leaf area, fresh weight per plant, chlorophyll A content, root length and girth as well as dry root yield were least under weedy check treatment. Chlorophyll A content was maximum (13.58 mg/g) under fluchloralin applied @0.5 kg/ha as PPI at 60 DAS growth period, while at 75 DAS period, twice hand weeding showed the highest Chlorophyll A content (14.45 mg/g) in leaf of chicory. Trifluralin applied @ 0.5 kg/ha as PE with one hand weeding had the highest root length (24.75 cm) at 75 DAS growth period, while maximum root girth (2.64 cm) was noticed under fluchloralin applied @ 1.0 kg/ha as PPI with one hand weeding. Root length was not significantly affected by above treatments at harvest. Fluchloralin applied @ 0.5 kg/ha as PPI with one hand weeding at 45 DAS had maximum dry weight (97 g) per plant at harvest. Similarly the highest dry root yield (104.09 q/ha) as well as the highest net return (Rs. 26752/ha) were also recorded in the same treatment. This treatment was also at par with Trifluralin applied @ 0.5 kg/ha as PPI + one hand weeding (97.9 q/ha) and twice hand weeding (101.3 q/ha) treatments.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF SOWING/TRANSPLANTING METHODS, SOWING TIME, ROW SPACING AND FERTILIZER LEVELS ON YIELD OF MUSTARD [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and coss](AAU, Anand, 1997) Desai, Harivadan V.; Patel, T. D.A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil of Agronomy Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand during the rabi season of the year 1991-92 to study the "Effect of Sowing/ Transplanting Methods, Sowing time. Row Spacing and Fertilizer Levels on Yield of Mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss]". Twentyfour treatments comprising of all possible combinations of two levels of sowing dates viz., 25th October and 14th November, two methods of sowing viz., Drilling and Transplanting, two spacings viz., 30cm x 10cm and 45cm x 10cm and three levels of fertilizer viz., 25 + 25+0 NPK kg/ha, 50 + 50 + 0 NPK kg/ha and 75 + 75 + 0 NPK kg/ha were tried in split plot design with four replications. Sowing dates, methods of sowing and spacing were relegated to the main plots whereas fertilizers levels were taken as subplot treatments. The results indicated that the plant height, number of primary and secondary branches/plant, number of pods/plant, seeds/pod, seed weight and test weight were significantly more under 25th October sowing than the later sowing (14th November). The mustard seed and stover yields were also higher under early sown crop than the sowing at later date. Sowing on 25th October (2325 kg/ha) gave 42.28 per cent higher seed yield over 14th November (1634 kg/ha) sown crop. Maximum net profit of Rs. 15715/ha was obtained with 25th October sown crop. Drilling method of sowing recorded appreciably higher plant height, number of primary and secondary branches/plant, number of pods/ plant, number of pods/plant, seeds/pod, seed weight and test weight and also the seed and stover yields. The seed yield recorded with drilling method (2221 kg/ha) was 27.71 per cent higher than the transplanted crop. The drilling method also recorded maximum net profit of Rs. 14936/ha. Different levels of spacing viz., 30cm x 10cm and 45cm x 10cm were significantly superior for all growth as well as yield attributes and stover yield but seed yield of mustard was not significantly changed due to spacing. However, net profit obtained under both the spacings was almost identical. Fertilizing mustard with 75 + 75 + 0 NPK kg/ha recorded significantly higher plant height, number of primary and secondary branches/ plant, number of pods/plant, seeds/pod, seed weight, test weight and seed and stover yields over lower levels of fertilizers. The seed yield (2206 kg/ ha) recorded with 75 + 75 + 0 NPK kg/ha was 31.46 and 7.29 per cent higher over 25 + 25 + 0 NPK kg/ha and 50 + 50 + 0 NPK kg/ha, respectively. This level of fertilizer also recorded maximum net profit of Rs.9562/ha and was found to be optimum. Sowing on 25th October produced significantly higher oil yield (917 kg/ha) than 14th November sown crop. Early sown crop (25th October gave 42.83 per cent higher oil yield over 14th November sown crop. But oil content of seed was not affected significantly due to sowing time. Between methods of sowing /planting, drilling gave significantly higher oil yield (873 kg/ha) than the transplanting. The percent increase in oil yield was 27.44 under drilled crop over transplanted one. However, oil content was not significantly affected due to different methods of sowing. Different levels of spacing did not make significant variation in oil content and oil yield of mustard crop. Application of 75 + 75 + 0 NPK kg/ha gave significantly higher oil yield (854 kg/ha) of mustard. Contrary to the above findings oil content was found to decrease with the increase in levels of fertilizer application. Based on the results from one year experimentation, it seems quite logical to indicate that potential production and profit from mustard crop can be secured by sowing on 25th October by adopting drilled method spaced at 30cm or 45cm row spacing and fertilized with 75 + 75 + 0 NPK kg/ha on loamy sand soil of middle Gujarat.