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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 DRIP IRRIGATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH MULCH AND NITROGEN ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CHILLI (Capsicum annum L.) cv. JWALA(AAU, Anand, 1998) Chauhan, Naransinh Prabhatsinh; UPADHYAY, P. N.A field experiment was carried out at the College Agronomy Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand on loamy sand soil, with a view to study the effect of drip irrigation in association with mulch and nitrogen on growth and yield of chilli (Capaicum annum L.) cv. Jwala during winter-summer seasons of 1994-95 and 1995- 96. Twenty four treatments comprising of four levels of irrigation (drip Irrigation at 40, 60 and 80 per cent of CPE and surface irrigation at 0.75 IW/CPE ratio with 50 mm depth of irrigation water), two levels of mulching (No mulch and mulching with black polyethelene mulch) and three levels of nitrogen (75, 100 and 125 kg N/ha) were tried in a split plot design with four replications. Levels of irrigation were assigned to main plots and combinations of mulch and nitrogen were relegated to the sub-plot treatments. The results on effect of irrigation revealed that drip irrigation at 80 per cent of CPE in comparison to surface irrigation, remarkably Increased plant height, secondary branches/plant at all dates of observations, started fruit setting and 50 % of flowering 1 days earlier, while initiation of ripening 3 days later, considerably increased chlorophyll 'a' and chlorophyll 'b' and total chlorophyll content in leaf lamina at 60, 120 and 150 DAP and markedly reduced weed count and dry biomaas of weeds, while tended to increase dry biomass of broom rape. This treatment also recorded the maximum values of the yield and yield attributes for green chilli i.e. total number of green chilli fruits/plant, yield of green chilli fruits/plant, average green chilli fruit length and weight, green chilli yield (14140, 17729 and 15934 kg/ha) and dry stalk yield (1898, 2203 and 2051 kg/ha) during both the years as well as on pooled basis. Drip irrigation at 80 % of GPE was also found superior In recording the higher values of yield and yield attributes for dry red chilli yield i.e. total number of dry red chilli fruits/plant, yield of dry red fruits/plant average weight of dry red fruit and dry red chilli yield (2072, 2355 and 2214 kg/ha), yield attributes for seed yield i.e. number of mature seeds/fruit, seed weight/fruit, seed and flake yield/plant, weight of 100 seed, seed yield (615, 681 and 648 kg/ha) and flake yield (1209, 1356 and 1283 kg/ha), respectively during both the years as well as on pooled basis. Field water use efficiency values for green chilli, dry red chilli and seed yields were maximum under drip Irrigation at 40 % of CPE during both the years and in the pooled results and the values of field WUE under drip irrigation at 80 % of CPE were comparatively higher than that under surface irrigation. Different levels of irrigation did not influence significantly the root-knot index and nutrient status of soil I.e. total nitrogen, available phosphorus and potash after harvest of first and second season crop. The results pertaining to the effect of mulching revealed that as compared to no mulch, treatment of mulching with black PM remarkably increased plant height, secondary branches/plant, chlorophyll 'a', chlorophyll 'b' and total chlorophyll content in leaf lamina at 60, 120 and 150 DAP, yield attributes for green chilli yield i.e. number of green chilli fruits/plant, yield of green chilli fruits/plant, green chilli fruit length and weiglit, yield attributes for dry red chilli yield i.e. number of dry red fruits/plant, yield of dry red fruits/plant, weight of dry red chilli fruit, yield attributes for seed and flake yields i.e. number of mature seeds/fruit and seed weight/fruit, while remarkably reduced total weed cotint, dry blomass of weed as well as broom rape, favoured early fruit setting, during both the years and in the pooled analysis. Green chilli yield (12785, 15171 and 13978 kg/ha), dry stalk yield (1809, 2199 and 2004 kg/ha), dry red chilli yield (1967, 2202 and 2086 kg/ha), seed yield (579, 630 and 605 kg/ha) and flake yield (1138, 1266 and 1202 kg/ha) were recorded the maximum under mulching treatment during the year 1994-95, 1995-96 and in the pooled results, respectively. Mulching treatment also registered the highest field WUE for green chilli, dry red chilli and seed yield during both the years and in the pooled analysis. This treatment also increased N, P and K content in dry red chilli and dry stalk during both the years and significantly increased uptake of N, P and K by crop during both the years and in the pooled results over no mulch. Treatment of mulching did not influence significantly the root-knot index, days to 50 % flowering, initiation of ripening, weight of dry red fruit, total soil nitrogen, available phosphorus and potash status of soil after harvest of first and second season crop. Among different levels of nitrogen, as compared to lower level of 75 kg N/ha, the nitrogen fertigation @ 125 kg/ha recorded the maximum values of plant height, secondary branches/plant, chlorophyll 'a', chlorophyll 'b' and total chlorophyll contents in leaf lamina, dry weight of weeds as well as broom rape, yield attributes for green chilli, i.e. total number of green chilli fruits/plant, yield of green chilli fruits/plant, average length and weight of green chilli fruit, yield attributes of dry red chilli and seed yields, i.e. total number of dry red chilli fruits/plant, yield of dry red chilli fruits/plant, number of mature seeds/fruit, seed weight/fruit, seed and flake yields/plant weight of dry red fruit and 100 seed during both the years and on pooled results. This treatment also registered the maximum yields of green chill fruit (13235, 15320 and 14277 kg/ha), dry stalk (1863, 2063 and 1963 kg/ha), dry red chili (2023, 2207and 2115 kg/ha), need yield (588, 630 and 630 kg/ha) and flake yield (1175, 1272 and 1223 kg/ha) during both the years and in the pooled result, respectively. Field WUE for green chilli, dry red chilli and seed yields and N, P and K content in dry stalk and P and K content in dry red chilli and uptake of N, P and K, total soil nitrogen after harvest of first and second season crop during both the years as well as In the pooled results. Different levels of nitrogen did not influence significantly root-knot index, days to 60 % flowering, fruit setting initiation and weed count. Though the nitrogen level 125 kg/ha recorded the maximum values of these characters, this treatment tended to delay initiation of fruit ripening. Interactive effect I x M was found significant in respect of chlorophyll 'a' and chlorophyll 'b' contents in leaf lamina at 60 DAP, total chlorophyll at 60 and 150 DAP, dry weight of broom rape, number of green chilli and dry red chilli fruits/plant, green chilli yield, flake yield and K uptake and treatment combination of drip irrigation at 80 % CPE coupled with tarping with black polyethelene mulch on soil was found superior in recording the maximum values of these parameters. Interactive effect I x N was found significant for chlorophyll 'a' and total chlorophyll contents in leaf lamina at 120 DAP, total dry weight of weeds, stalk yield, number of dry red fruits/plant, seed and flake yield/plant, field WUE for green chilli, dry red chilli and seed yield. Treatment combination of drip irrigation at 80 % of CPE in association with 125 kg N/ha stood first. Interactive effect M x N had significantly influenced total dry weight of weeds, green chili yield, dry stalk yield, dry fruit yield/plant, dry fruit yield/ha, seed and flake yields/ha, field WUE for green, dry red chilli and seed yield and K uptake. All these characters were the under treatment combination of mulch in conjuction with 125 kg N/ha. From the economic point of view, treatment involving drip irrigation at 80 % of CPE, coupled with mulching (black PM) and application of @125 kg/ha nitrogen through fertigation in form of uren in 10 equal splits at every 4th Irrigation starting from third irrigation registered the highest green chilli yield (18939 kg/ha) or dry red chilli yield (2689 kg/ha) or seed yield (791 kg/ha) with the net benefit of Rs. 47287 or 40369 or 192018 for respective yields. Drip should be run with the pressure of 1 kg/cm2 for the period of 10.30 to 11.00 hrs before transplanting for complete wetting of soil for transplanting of seedlings and 3.30 to 4.00 hrs after 3 days of planting as common irrigations and subsequently It should ba run at three days interval for the period of 3.30 to 4.15 hrs in, October and November, 3.00 hrs In December and January; 3.45 to 4.30 hrs. in February and 5.30 to 6.00 hrs in March and 6.45 to 7.15 hrs in April. Under situation of assured irrigation If a farmer is not in a position to adopt drip Irrigation system or black polyethelene mulching, 15 irrigations each of 50 mm depth including two common irrigations for transplanting and establishment of the crop should be given and crop should be fertilized with 125 kg N/ha in four equal splits at 30 days interval for obtaining maximum benefit from green or dry red chilli yield. Irrigation should be applied at an Intervals of 12-13 days in November, 17-19 days In December, January and February, 10-12 days In March and 8 days In the month of April. Seed crop fetched the highest net profit (Ra. 133866/ha) when mulching was done in addition to above combination of the treatments.ThesisItem Open Access STUDY ON THE INTERACTIVE EFFECT OF IRRIGATION METHODS, NITROGEN AND BIOREGULATOR ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF HYBRID COTTON(AAU, Anand, 1994) Haytham, Al-Hneidi; Mehta, H. M.A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soil of College Agronomy Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand, to study the interactive effect of irrigation methods, nitrogen and bioregulator on growth, yield and quality of hybrid cotton cv. GC HY-8 during kharif season of the years 1991-92 and 1992-93. Thirty treatment combinations comprising three methods of irrigation (surface flooding, every furrow irrigation and alternate furrow irrigation), two concentrations of NAA (0 and 20 ppm) were assigned to main plots and five levels of nitrogen (140, 200, 260, 320 and 380 kg/ha) were relegated to sub-plots in split plot design with three replications. Every furrow irrigation method remarkably increased numbers of monopodial and sympodial branches/pl, LAI, dry biomass/pl, RGR, CGR and NAR as compared to alternate furrow irrigation and surface flooding methods during both the years. However, plant height and number of flowers/pl remained unaffected by irrigation methods.ThesisItem Open Access STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF IRRIGATION AND INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF POTATO AND THEIR RESIDUAL EFFECTS ON SUCCEEDING SUMMER GROUNDNUT CROP(AAU, Anand, 1993) Lakkad, Laxmanbhai Valjibhai; MEHTA, H. M.A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soil of College Agronomy Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand, to study the effect of irrigation and integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of potato and their residual effects on succeeding summer groundnut crop during the year 1989-90 and 1990-91. Thirty six treatment combinations, comprising three levels of irrigation based on IW/CPE ratios of 0.8, 1.2 and 1.6 were relegated to main plots and tvjelve treatnent combinations of nitrogen sources (three levels of nitrogen (urea) - 0, 110 and 220 kg/ha, two levels of dry azolla - no azolla and 110 kg N/ha through dry azolla and two levels of seed inoculation - uninoculation and inoculation with Azotobacter ABA-1) were assigned at random to sub-plots in split plot design with four replications. The recommended dose of P2O5 (110 kg/ha) and K2O (220 kg/ha) were given common to all the plots. Summer groundnut was grown solely on residual fertility of potato crop on the same site. The results revealed that irrigation schedule based on IW/CPE ratio of 1.6 markedly increased plant height, LAI, dry weight of shoots and tubers/hill, tuber efficiency, RGR and CGR during both the years. Similarly, yield attributes viz., number of tubers/plant, fresh weight of tubers/plant and 'B' and 'A' grade tubers were also increased. IW/CPE ratio of 1.6 yielded (138.2, 169.5 and 153.9 q/ha) the highest with good quality tubers as compared to lower ratios of 1.2 (120.1, 148.2 and 134.2 q/ha) and 0.8 (108.9, 128.2 and 118.6 q/ha) during both the years and in pooled analysis respectively. The IW/CPE ratio 1.6 turned out to be optimum for securing profitable yield of tubers. The same ratio also recorded higher haulm yield during both the years. Fertilizing potato with 220 kg N/ha recorded remarkably increased plant height, LAI, dry weight of shoots and tubers/hill, tuber efficiency, RGR and CGR while NAR was decreased during both the years. Yield attributing parameters like number and fresh weight of tubers/plant and 'B' and 'A' grade tubers were also increased with application of 220 kg N/ha. This level also yielded significantly the highest tuber yield (162.3, 193.0 and 177.7 q/ha) as compared to lower levels of 110 kg N/ha (122.0, 151.3 and 136.7 q/ha) and no application (82.9, 101.6 and 92.3 q/ha) during the year 1989-90, 1990-91 and in pooled analysis respectively. Application of 220 kg N/ha also accrued higher net profit as compared to lower levels. This level produced higher haulm yield during both the years. Dry azolla (110 kg N/ha) significantly increased plant height, LAI, dry weight of shoots and tubers/hill, tuber efficiency, RGR, CGR, number of tubers and fresh weight of tubers/plant, 'B' and 'A' grade tubers and haulm yield, though NAR was decreased as compared to no application during both the years. Dry azolla also significantly increased tuber yield (130.4, 160.8 and 145. 6 q/ha) as compared to no application (114.4, 136.4 and 125.4 q/ha) during the year 1989-90, 1990-91 and in pooled analysis respectively. Azotobacter ABA-1 inoculation considerably increased plant height, LAI, dry weight of shoots and tubers/hill, tuber efficiency, RGR, CGR, NAR, number of tubers and fresh weight of tubers/plant, 'B' and 'A' grade tubers, haulm and tuber yield (127.2, 150.3 and 138.8 q/ha) as compared to uninoculation during the year 1989-90, 1990-91 and in pooled analysis respectively. Irrigation level at IW/CPE ratio 1.6, nitrogen level 220 kg/ha and dry azolla (110 kg N/ha) appreciably increased CU and WUE, while Azotobacter ABA-1 inoculation increased only WUE during both the years. Starch content in tubers was considerably decreased at IW/CPE ratio 1.6, nitrogen level 220 kg/ha and dry azolla (110 kg N/ha); while protein content was significantly increased. Azotobacter ABA-1 significantly increased protein content while starch content did not change during both the years. Among combinations of irrigation and sources of nitrogen, IW/CPE ratio 1.6, 220 kg N/ha, dry azolla (110 kg N/ha) and Azotobacter ABA-1 markedly increased N, P and K uptake as compared to their respective lower levels during both the years. The interaction effects IxN and NxA had exhibited consistent effects on growth parameter, yield attributing parameters, tuber and haulm yields, protein content in tubers, N, P and K uptake. While IxA interaction did not show their consistent effect on tuber yield and most of the growth parameters, but it exhibited significant influences on number of tubers/plant and fresh weight of tubers/plant, protein content, N, P and K uptake. The interaction effects IxNxA showed consistent effects on tuber yield and yield attributing parameters. The results of present study indicated that potential production and profit (fe. 22804/ha) from potato can be secured by scheduling irrigation at IW/CPE ratio 1.6 and fertilizing the crop with 220 kg N (urea) + 110 kg N through dry azolla + seed inoculation with Azotobacter ABA-1 alongwith the recommended dose of P2O5 (110 kg/ha) and K2O (220 kg/ha). Application of 220 kg N/ha and dry azolla (110 kg N/ha) to the crop of potato, without giving any fertilizer to succeeding groundnut crop significantly increased pod and haulm yields. However, oil content in kernels remained unaffected during both the years. The interaction effect NxA showed consistent effects on pod yield only. The results of soil status revealed that the irrigation levels, nitrogen levels, dry azolla application and Azotobacter ABA-1 inoculation treatments did not manifest their significant influences on total N, available P2O5 and available K2O status after harvest of potato and groundnut crops during both the years as well as before planting of potato during the year 1990-91. The results further indicated that the overall total N, available Po^s and K2O status, before' potato planting, after harvest of potato and groundnut did not differ significantly at the end of second season crops. Thus, the results further suggested that for securing good quality tuber yield, net return, CBR with better utilization of residual fertility of potato to summer groundnut, without ill-effect on soil nutrients (N, PoOc and K^O) status, the potato crop (Kurfi Chandramukhi) grown under Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone III on loamy sand soil should be provided irrigation based on IW/CPE ratio of 1.6 and fertilized with 220 kg N/ha (urea) + 110 kg N through dry azolla + seed inoculation with Azotobacter ABA-1 alongwith recommended dose of P2O5 (HO kg/ha) and K2O (220 kg/ha).ThesisItem Open Access STUDY ON THE INTERACTIVE EFFECT OF IRRIGATION METHODS, NITROGEN AND BIOREGULATOR ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF HYBRID COTTON(AAU, ANAND, 1994) HNEIDI, HAYTHAM AL; MEHTA, H. M.A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soil of College Agronomy Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand, to study the interactive effect of irrigation methods, nitrogen and bioregulator on growth, yield and quality of hybrid cotton cv. GC HY-8 during kharif season of the years 1991-92 and 1992-93. Thirty treatment combinations comprising three methods of irrigation (surface flooding, every furrow irrigation and alternate furrow irrigatior. I, two concentrations of NAA (0 and 20 ppm) were assigned to main plots and five levels of nitrogen (140, 200, 260, 320 and 380 kg/ha) were relegated to sub-plots in split plot design with three replications. Every furrow irrigation method remarkably increased numbers of monopodial and sympodial branches/pl, LAK, dry biomass/pl, RGR, CGR and NAR as compared to alternate I'urrow irrigation and surface flooding methods during botli the years. However, plant height and number of flowors/pl remained unaffected by irrigation methods. Numerical increase in number of bolls/pl was obtained under every furrow irrigation method as compared to other methods. Seed cotton yield (2800, 2692 and 2747 kg/ha) and dry stalk yield (2639, 2533 and 2586 kg/ha) were substantially increased in every furrow irrigation method as compared to alternate furrow and surface flooding methods during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. Harvest index was not influenced by irrigation methods during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. Surface flooding method increased transpiration rate, however, reduced leaf stomatal conductance and leaf temperature at all the phenological stages of cotton crop during both the years. Seed index, lint index and earliness index were increased under every furrow irrigation method as compared to alternate furrow irrigation and surface flooding methods. While, ginning percentage, mean fibre length and oil content were not influenced by irrigation methods during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. Total chlorophyll content was relatively higher under alternate furrow irrigation and every furrow methods as compared to surface flooding during both the years and in mean of the tow years. Nutrients (N, P and K) content and uptake were increased under every furrow method of irrigation as compared to alternate furrow irrigation and surface flooding during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. Nitrogen use efficiency was not influenced by irrigation methods. Water use efficiency was increased under alternate furrow irrigation method as compared to that under every furrow irrigation and surface flooding methods during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. Fertilizing cotton with 380 kg N/ha considerably increased all growth parameters viz., plant height, numbers of monopodial and sympodial branches/pl, LAI, number of flowers/pl, dry bioraass/pl, RGR, CGR and NAR during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. Similarly, this level increased number of bolls/pl and yielded the highest seed cotton (3042, 2894 and 2968 kg/ha) and dry stalk (2877, 2769 and 2823 kg/ha) as compared to rest of the levels during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. Harvest index was not influenced by nitrogen levels during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. The physiological parameters viz., transpiration rate, leaf storaatal conductance and leaf temperature were not much affected by nitrogen during both the years. The quality parameters viz., seed index, lint index, mean fibre length, oil content and earliness index were increased while ginning percentage was decreased with increasing levels of nitrogen during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. Total chlor-ophiyll content, nutrients content and uptake, nitrogen use efficiency and water use efficiency were considerably increased with increasing levels of nitrogen during both the years and in pooled analysis as well. Spraying the crop with 20 ppm NAA appreciably increased plant height, number of monopodial and sympodial branches/pl, LAI, number of flowers/pl, dry biomass/pl, RGR, CGR and NAR as compared to no spraying of NAA during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. Number of bolls/pl was substantially increased with 20 ppm NAA as compared to 0 ppm NAA. Similarly, seed cotton yield (2758, 2641 and 2700 kg/ha) and dry stalk yield (2584, 2488 and 2536 kg/ha) were conspicuously increased with 20 ppm NAA as compared to 0 ppm NAA during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. However, harvest index was not influenced by NAA. NAA did not show profound effect on the physiological parameters during both the years. Among quality parameters, seed index, lint index, mean fibre length and earliness index were considerably * increased with application of 20 ppm NAA, while ginning percentage and oil content remained unaffected during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. The chemical parameters viz., total chlorophyll content/leaf, nutrients content and nutrients uptake were considerably increased under the treatment of 20 ppm NAA as compared to 0 ppm NAA during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. Similar trend was observed in respect of water use efficiency, while nitrogen use efficiency was not effected by NAA during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. The interaction effects IXN in respect of seed cotton yield and IXG in respect of dry stalk yield were found significant, but inconsistent during both the years and in pooled analysis. More or less similar trend was also observed on several growth parameters. While the interactions GXN and IXGXN did not influence seed cotton yield significantly, however, exhibited significant effects on many of the growth parameters during both the years under study. Further, the interactions viz., IXG, IXN, GXN and IXGXN did not manifest significant effect on quality parameters during both the years. However, IXN exerted significant effect on nitrogen content (except in 1992-93) and nitrogen uptake during both the years and in pooled analysis. While this interaction alongwith others were not found significant in respect of PK content and uptake during both the years and in pooled anulysis as well. Nitrogen use efficiency was not influenced by any of the interactions, while water use efficiency was significantly influenced by the interactions IXG and IXN during 1992-93 and in pooled analysis. The results of present study indicated that potential production and net profit of Rs.42741/ha alongwith higher BCR (1:5.46) from cotton crop can be secured by combination of every furrow irrigation method + 20 ppm NAA + 380 kg N/ha. In the present study, results revealed that total nitrogen of soil was significantly increased by nitrogen application. However, irrigation methods and NAA did not alter total soil nitrogen. Available P2O5 and K2O remained unaffected by irrigation methods, NAA and nitrogen levels during both the years of study.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF TIME, METHODS OF PLANTING AND PHOSPHORUS ON PRODUCTIVITY AND ECONOMICS OF SUMMER PEARLMILLET(AAU, Anand, 1994) Dixit, Anilkumar G.; Mehta, H. M.With a view to study the effect of time, planting methods and phosphorus on yield of summer pearlmillet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke), an experiment was conducted on loamy sand soil of College Agronomy Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand, during summer seasons of the year 1992 and 1993. Thirty two treatment combinations comprising four level: of dates viz. 15th February, 1st March, 15th March and 1st April, four levels of planting method, viz. drilling, transplanting 30 days old seedling, transplanting 25 days old seedling and transplanting 20 days old seedling and two levels of phosphorus viz. 0 and 40 kg ha-1 were assigned at random in split plot design with four replications. Dates of sowing/planting were relegated to main plots and eight combinations if methods of planting and levels of phosphorus were allocated to sub-plots. The recommended dose of 80 kg N ha-1 was applied in common to all the plots. The crop was irrigated with 60 mm depth each time at recommended intervals. The results revealed that the different dates of sowing/ planting influenced significantly the growth parameters viz. plant height, number of tillers, number of internodes plant" , flag leaf area and dry matter accumulation during both the years. Similarly, yield attributes viz. effective tillers plant" , length of earhead, number of grains earhead-1 and 1000 grain weight were also influenced significantly with different dates. Sowing/planting on 15th March (D3) produced significantly higher yield (3473, 3256 and 3365) when compared with D1 (2680, 2798 and 2739) and D4 (2206, 1804 and 2005) during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. The higher yield under D3 (15th March, was probably due to most favourable temperature range between 28 degree C and 34 degree C for most of the growth stages which became instrumental in boosting up the yield attributes. Results pertaining to different methods of planting viz. drilling and transplanting with seedlings of different age revealed that all growth parameters viz. plant height, number of tillers, number of internodes, flag leaf area, dry matter accumulation and yield attributes viz. effective tillers, length of earhead, number of grains earhead, 1000 seed weight were also influenced significantly with different methods. Method M4 (transplanting with 20 days old seedlings) produced significantly higher grain yield (3087),. which was higher by 14.54 and 4.96 per cent, when compared with drilling (2695) and transplanting with 30 days old seedlings (2947) respectively. Farther, 20 days old seedlings were found to be superior for transplanting since younger seedlings could better withstand root injury shocks and established quickly as compared to older seedlings. Results pertaining to the effect of phosphorus revealed that growth parameters, yield attributes and yield were not influenced with different levels of phosphorus application during both the years. This was probably due to the fact that the so contained 30 to 42 kg ha-1 available phosphorus putting the soil under the category of high P status and hence, there was no response to applied phosphorus. Physiological parameters like transpiration rate, leaf diffusion resistance and leaf temperature were also influenced with different dates and methods of planting. Treatment D3 (15th March) and M^ (T.P. with 20 days old seedling) recorded higher rate of transpiration with minimum LDR. The interaction effects of D x M had exhibited significant effect on growth parameters, yield attributes and grain yield during both the years. In case of timely sowing i.e. between 15th February to 1st March, drilling performed equally well and hence there is no need to go for transplanting. However, in case of delayed planting, transplanting proved to be a rewarding method to harvest maximum,yield. Thus, the results suggested that for securing the highest return unit"' area, summer pearlmillet should be cultivated by transplanting 20 days old seedlings between 1st and 15th March without applying phosphorus in middle Gujarat conditions.ThesisItem Open Access STUDY ON EFFECT OF LOW AND HIGH SOIL MOISTURE STATUS ON CERTAIN PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS, [ GROWTH, YIELD ATTRIBUTES, YIELD AND QUALITY OF PEARLMILLET HYBRIDS AND THEIR RESIDUAL EFFECT ON SUCCEEDING KHARIF PIGEONPEA(AAU, Anand, 1993) Patel, H. R.; Mehta, H. M.A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soil of College Agronomy Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand, during the years 1990-91 and 1991-92 to study the effect of low and high soil moisture status on certain physiological parameters, growth, yield attributes, yield and quality of pearlmillet hybrids and their residual effect on succeeding kharif pigeonpea. Twenty four treatment combinations comprised of three levels of irrigation based on IW/CPE viz., 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 with eight pearlmillet hybrids viz., GHB 15, GHB 27, GHB 30, GHB 181, GHB 224, GHB 228, MH 179 and B.K. 560-230 were tested in a split plot design with four replications. Depth of each irrigation in all the ratios was 50 mm. The irrigation levels constituted the main plots and pearlmillet hybrids relegated to sub-plots. All plots were fertilized with 90 kg N + 45 kg P2O5/ha, while succeeding pigeonpea was given fertilizer @ 20 kg N + 40 kg P2O5/ha. Pigeonpea crop was taken in kharif season on the same site for testing residual effect of treatments given to preceding crop in summer. The results revealed that irrigation scheduled at IW:CPE ratios of 0.75 and 1.0 markedly increased plant height, LAI, DM/pl, RGR, CGR, FLA, number of internodes/p1 and lodging index during both the years. Similarly, yield attributes viz., length of earhead, number of grains/ear, grain weight/p1, number of tillers/p1, 1000 grains weight were also increased. Irrigating the crop at 1.0 IW:CPE (4470, 4506 and 4488 kg/ha) edge over the ratios 0.75 (4189, 4396 and 4293 kg/ha) and 0.50 (3033, 3279 and 3156 kg/ha) for grain yield during both the years as well as in combined analysis. Similar trend was also maintained in straw yield during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. In light of results pertaining to effect of irrigation levels, it was revealed that IW:CPE ratio of 1.0 increased CU of water but decreased WUE during both the years. The stomatal index was increased with increase in moisture stress. It was further indicated that higher leaf diffusion resistance was associated with low transpiration rate and vice versa. Leaf temperature also followed similar pattern of LDR. Total chlorophyll content was decreased as irrigation frequency increased. However, reverse trend was observed for total soluble sugar and protein content during both the years. Consistently increasing trend was obtained for NPK uptake with increase in irrigation levels from 0.50 to 1.0 in respective years. It was revealed from the results that hybrid pearlmillet GHB 27, GHB 181 and GHB 228 were found superior in their performance with respect to growth, yield attributes and biochemical parameters. These varieties have also exhibited their superiority for grain and straw yield. It was further showed that these hybrids had better extracting ability of nutrient and water from the soil, which enhanced higher NPK content and uptake as compared to other varieties tested in the experiment during both the years. These hybrids varieties have better performance under low soil moisture status of soil due to their higher drought tolerance efficiency. Interactive effect of IxV have revealed that IW:CPE ratio 1.0 and 0.75 in conjunction with GHB 27, GHB 181 and GHB 228 exhibited positive effect on growth attributing parameters, yield attributing characters, grain and straw yield. It was observed that biochemical parameters were consistently influenced due to the interactive effect of IxV, while physiological parameters as well as NPK uptake remained inconsistent in respective years. It was further observed that irrigation levels as well as hybrid pearlmillet did not manifest their significant influence on succeeding kharif pigeonpea yield as well as soil nutrients status in respective years of study. Thus, the results suggested that for securing better quality produce with higher yield, net profit and CBR without ill-effect on soil nutrients status, varieties GHB 27, GHB 181 and GHB 228 of pearlmillet should be irrigated at IW:CPE ratio 0.75 or 1.0. Under limited supply of irrigation also, these varieties should be prefered for higher yield.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF MOISTURE REGIMES, SUCKERICIDE AND WEEDICIDES ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF RUSTICA TOBACCO ( Nicotiana rustica L.) cv. GC 2(AAU, Anand, 1995) CHAUDHARI, S. R.; UPADHYAY, P. N.A field experiment was conducted under middle Gujarat agro-climatic conditionfi, at the Bidi Tobacco Research Station, G.A.U., Anand, during 1993-94 and 1994-95 with a view to study the effect of moisture regimes, suckericide and weedicides on growth, yield and quality of rustica tobacco cv. GC 2. The experiment comprised combinations of three levels of irrigation based on IW/CPE ratio (0.7, 1.1 and 1.5) and two treatments of suckencontrol (hand desuckering and pendimethalin 0.75 per cent) alongwith five treatments of weed control (local practice, fluchloralin 1.0 and 1.5 lit/ha, pendimethalin 1.0 and 1.5 lit/ha). The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with four replications, wherein irrigation and suckericide treatments were embeded in the main plots, while weed control treatments were assigned to the sub plots. The results revealed that irrigation schedule based on IW/CPE ratio of 1.1 markedly increased plant height, leaf length and leaf width. IW/CPE ratio of 1.1 gave significantly higher cured leaf yield as compared to 0.7 and 1.5 ratios. Similarly, the spangle and growth scores were also higher under the same ratio. It is also observed that with increasing levels of irrigation the fresh weight of suckers, dry weight of weeds and orobanche weight were increased. The fresh weight of suckers, dry weight of weeds and orobanche weight were significantly higher under 1.5 IW/CPE ratio as compared to 0.7 and 1.1 IW/CPE ratios. The field water use efficiency decreased with increase in IW/CPE ratio from 0.7 to 1.5. The IW/CPE ratio of 1.1 was found to be an optimum ratio from growth and yield attributes view points. It also gave highest net realization of Rs. 15291/ha and CBR of 1:2.06. Although increase in irrigation frequency significantly decreased both total-N and leaf nicotine contents, the differences were not large to cause drastic change in the leaf quality. Application of pendimethalin @ 0.75 per cent in the leaf axil significantly improved yield and yield attributing (leaf length, width and growth score) characters as well as spangle score, a quality trait over hand desuckering. The increased in cured leaf yield was to the tune of 8.36 per cent under chemical desuckering over hand desuckering. The increase in yield was achieved due to reduction in the sucker weight. The reduction in sucker weight under S2 was to the extent of 7.32 per cent over hand desuckering. The reduction trend in dry weights of weeds and orobanche was also observed under pendimethalin application. The field water use efficiency was higher under the application of pendimethalin. Application of pendimethalin also accrued higher net return (Rs. 13022/ha) than hand desuckering (Rs. 11170/ha). Suckericidal treatment significantly decreased total-N, while nicotine content was increased, indicating improvement in the leaf quality over hand desuckering. The application of weedicide was significant in almost all attributes studied during the course of investigation, wherein application of fluchloralin 9 1.5 lit/ha gave significant improvement over local practice except fresh weight of suckers, orobanche weight as well as spangle and growth scores which were not significantly influenced by different weedicide treatments. The application of fluchloralin @ 1.5 lit/ha also significantly decreased the dry weight of weeds as compared to the local practice of weed management. The higher field water use efficiency was also observed under the treatment of fluchloralin @ 1.5 lit/ha than other treatments. Application of fluchloralin @ 1.5 lit/ha fetched the highest net realization (Rs. 14965/ha) and gave maximum CBR (1:1.99). The chemical quality parameter viz., total-N and nicotine contents of leaf lamina were significantly decreased due to the application of weedicide over local practice. However, the variation was not large enough to cause drastic changes in the leaf quality. The interaction effect I x S exhibited significant effect on leaf width, wherein I2S2 treatment combination registered the highest values. Similarly, interactions I x W, I X S, S X W and I x S x W exhibited significant influence on dry weight of weeds, where I1W3, I1S2, S2W3 and I1S1W3 registered lower dry weight of weeds. From the foregoing results it is pertinent that rustica tobacco variety GC 2 gave highest cured leaf yield as well as net returns when it was irrigated at 1.1 IW/CPE ratio (10 to 11 irrigation of 50 mm depth), chemically desuckered with 0.75 per cent pendimethalin and weed managed by application of fluchloralin @ 1.5 lit/ha alongwith irrigation under middle Gujarat agroclimatic conditions.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF FYM, NITROGEN AND SOURCE OF FERTILIZER ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF MUSTARD [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss] Cv. GM-1 UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT CONDITIONS(AAU, Anand, 1995) Patel, R. H.; Meisheri, T. G.A field experiment was conducted at the College Farm, 3.A. College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand during rabi season of 1992-93 and 1993-94 to study the effect of FYM, nitrogen and source of fertilizer on growth, yield and quality of mustard Cv. GM-1 under Middle Gujarat agro-climatic conditions. The soil of the experimental plot was loamy sand in texture having good drainage with 7.8 pH. The soil was deficient in nitrogen (0.37%), medium in available phosphorus (42.5 kg PgO5 ha-1) and potash (272.0 kg KgO ha-1 ). The experiment comprised combinations of three levels each of FYM (0, 10 and 20 tonnes ha-1) and nitrogen (25, 50 and 75 kg ha-1 alongwith two sources of fertilizer (S-free source ; Urea + DAP and S-containing source : AS+SSP). The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with six replications, wherein FYM levels were enibeded in main plots, while combinations of N levels and source of fertilizers were assigned to sub-plots. Most of the growth characters studied during the course of investigation such as plant height, LAI, dry matter production, primary and secondary branches, CGR and NAR showed significant improvement due to FYM application. Perusal of these data in general indicated that the maximum vegetative growth was achieved by addition of 10 tonnes of FYM ha-1. H owever, for dry matter production 20 tonnes ha-1 FYM was optimum. The yield attributes viz., siliquae per plant, number of seeds per siliqua, seed yield per plant as well as total seed and stover yields were significantly improved by FYM application Increased vegetative growth due to FYM application had brought concomitant improvement in yield attributes and yield as these characters were highly correlated with each other. On the contrary, variation in harvest index and length of siliqua due to FYM treatments was absent. The FYM application @ 10 tonnes ha-1 was found to be optimum for yield and yield attributes. Among different chemical parameters, N-content of stover, P and S contents of seed and stover were significantly influenced by FYM treatments either in one or two years or pooled over the years whereas, nitrogen and protein contents, of seed were unaltered by FYM treatments. The uptake of nutrients (N, P and S) were significantly improved upto 10 tonnes FYM ha-1. Further, the FYM application tended to reduce the oil content significantly. However, the oil yield was significantly improved due to FYM application. The maximum oil yield was recorded with the application of FYM @ 20 tonnes ha-1 on pooled basis. Vegetative growth parameters such as plant height, LAI, dry matter accumulation, CGR, RGR, NAR, primary and secondary branches were significantly improved due to N application. Profound vegetative growth due to adequate supply of N had resulted into significantly more siliquae per plant, seeds per siliqua, test weight and thereby more seed, stover and oil yields and better harvest index. Similarly, the uptake of N, P and S nutrients were significantly increased due to N fertilization, which resulted into significantly higher content of these nutrients in seed and stover. Only P-content in seed remained unaltered over N treatments. The protein content of seed was also improved significantly by N fertilization at higher levels. However, the variation in the oil content due to N application was not large. Almost all yield attributes, yield and quality parameters were tended to increase with increased N rates. The optimum level of nitrogen was found to be 75 kg ha-1 . The source effect of fertilizers was significant in almost all attributes studied during the course of investigation, wherein S2 source gave significant improvement over S1 source except RGR and NAR at later stage (50-70 days) and P-content of seed and stover, which were highest under S1 source. However, plant height at 30 DAS, length of siliqua, seeds per siliqua, test weight and P-uptake did not differ significantly due to the source of fertilizer. From the foregoing results it is pertinent that mustard variety GM-1 gave highest yield as well as net returns when it was manured with 10 tonnes FYM ha-1 and fertilised through S-containing source of fertilizers (AS+SSP) to supply 75 kg N ha-1 under Middle Gujarat agro-climatic conditions.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH NITROGEN AND ASCORBIC ACID ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF MUSTARD Cv. GM-1(AAU, Anand, 1994) DOBARIYA, D. K.; MEHTA, H. M.A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soil of College Agronomy Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand, to study the effect of irrigation management in conjunction with nitrogen and ascorbic acid on growth, yield and quality of mustard Cv. GM-1 during the year 1991-S2 and 1992-93. The treatments comprised combincitions of three levels of irrigation (irrigation at critical stages, 0.4 and 0.6 IW:CPE) and two levels of irrigation depth (50 and 75 mm], relegated to main plots,. The sub-plot treatments comprised combinations of three levels of nitrogen (25, 50 and 75 kg N ha-1 ) and two levels of ascorbic acid (0 and 25 ppm). Thus, thirty six treatment combinations were tested with three replications. The recommended dose of P2O5 (50 kg ha-1) was given common, to all the experimental plots. The results revealed that irrigation schedule based on IW:CPE 0.6 markedly increased LAI, CGR, RGR and NAR during both the yeara. The yield atributes viz., seeds siliqua" , siliquae p1-1 and seed wt p1-1 were significantly increased in 0.6 IW:CPE over 0.4 IW:CPE, though remained at par with irrigation at critical stages. Seed yield was significantly increased in 0.6 IW:CPE (2001, 2821 and 2411 kg ha-1) and irrigation at critical stages (1979, 2649 and 2314 kg ha-1), when compared with 0.4 IW:CPE (1647, 2394 and 2021 kg ha-1 during both the years and in pooled analysis The stalk yield and HI remained unaffected due to irrigation during both the years. Irrigation with 75 mm depth increased LAI during both the years. The CGR, RGR and NAR were higher in 50 ram irrigation depth during first year, and 75 mm irrigation depth during second year of study. Higher number of seeds siliqua-1 were recorded in 75 mm irrigation depth while siliquae p1-1 were recorded in 50 ram irrigation depth during first year. The highest seed yield was produced with 50 ram (1955 kg ha-1) over 75 mm (1796 kg ha-1) irrigation depth during first year, however, trend remained the same during second year and in pooled analysis though not significant. The stalk yield and HI were not influenced by irrigation depth. Fertilizing mustard with 75 kg N ha-1 recorded y remarkably increased LAI, CGR, RGR and NAR during both the years. Similarly, yield attributes viz., number of siliquae p1-1 and seed wt p1-1 also increased during both the years and in pooled analysis. This level also yielded ^significantly the highest seed yield (2086, 2727 and 2406 kg ha-1) over 50 kg N ha-1 (1902, 263Sand 2269 kg ha-1) and 25 kg N ha-1 (1639, 2503 and 2071) during both the years as well as in pooled analysis. This level produced higher stalk yield during both the years, whereas HI remained unaffected due to nitrogen levels. Higher LAI was recorded under 25 ppm ascorbic acid during both the years, whereas, CGR, RGR and NAR remained unaffected. Among yield attributes, the number of siliquae p1-1 ,• seed wt p1-1 and 1000-seed wt were increased in 25 ppm ascorbic acid during both the years. This treatment also yielded significantly higher seed yield (1962, 2674 and 2318 kg ha-1 ) over no application of ascorbic acid (1789, 2569 and 2179 kg ha-1 ) during both, the years and in pooled analysis. The stalk yield and HI remained unaffected due to ascorbic acid treatment. Irrigation at 0.6 IW:CPE or at critical stages increased oil content over 0.4 IW:CPE during first year. The protein content remained unaffected due to irrigation during both the years. The higher oil and protein yield were recorded under 0.6 IW:CPE and irrigation at critical stages over 0.4 IW:CPE during both the years. Similarly, N, P and K uptake were increased in 0.6 IW:CPE.and also in irrigation at critical stages over 0.4 IW:CPE during both the years. The higher CU (265.8 and 278.1 mm) was found in 0.6 IW:CPE during both the years. Higher WUE was recorded in irrigation at critical stages (8.89 kg seed ha-mm-1) during first year and in 0.4 IW:CPE (12.19 kg seed ha-mm-1) during second year. The oil content, oil yield, protein content and protein yield were not influenced by irrigation depth during both the years. Similarly, N, P and K uptake remained unaffected due to irrigation depth during both the years. The CU was not affected by irrigation depth, whereas WUE was higher in 50 ram (8.14 and 11.51 kg .seed ha-mm-1 ) irrigation depth during both the years. Increasing levels of N significantly decreased oil content but increased protein content but oil and protein yield were increased with increase in N levels, during both the years. Among N levels, 75 kg N ha-1 significantly increased N, P and K uptake over 50 and 25 kg N ha-1 during both the years. Application of nitrogen markedly increase CU and WUE and it was found to increase with increasing levels of N. The oil and protein contents remained unaffected,whereas oil and protein yields were higher in 25 ppm ascorbic acid over no application of ascorbic acid. The N uptake was higher in first year and P uptake was higher during both the years in 25 ppm ascorbic acid, whereas K uptake remained unaffected. No appreciable differences were found in CU and WUE by ascorbic acid during both the years. The interaction effect I x D and I x D x N exhibited significant effect on seed yield and yield attributing characters, raore or less similar trend was also observed on analytical growth parameters as well as in respect to P uptake. The results of present study indicated that the highest production and profit (Rs. 18209 ha-1) from mustard can be secured by scheduling irrigation at TW:CPE ratio 0.6 with 50 mm irrigation depth and fertilizing the crop with 75 kg N ha-1 + seed soaking with 25 ppm ascorbic acid along with the recommended dose of P2O5 (50 kg ha-1) under middle Gujarat Agro-climatic zone-Ill on loamy sand soil.