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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 INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION SCHEDULES (IW : CPE RATIO) AND MULCHES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SUMMER GREENGRAM UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT CONDITIONS(AAU, Anand, 2005) PANCHAL, HIRENKUMAR D; PATEL, J. J.A field experiment was conducted during summer season of the year 2003 at the College Agronomy Farm, Anand Agricultural University, Anand to study the, "Influence of irrigation schedules (IW : CPE ratio) and mulches on growth and yield of summer greengram under middle Gujarat conditions". The soil of the experimental field was loamy sand in texture having good drainage, low in nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and high in potash with pH 7.5. Sixteen treatment combinations consisting of four levels of irrigation schedules (IW : CPE ratio) viz.,I0- control critical growth stages. I1- 0.5 IW : CPE ratio, I2- 0.7 IW : CPE ratio and I3- 0.9 IW : CPE ratio and four mulches viz., control-no mulch (Mo), organic mulch i.e. Bajra Bhusa @ 5t ha-1(M1), black polythene sheet (M2) and silver colour sheet (M3) were tested under split plot design with four replications. The results indicated that the seed and dry fodder yield as well as most of the growth and yield attributes of summer greengram were significantly influenced due to different irrigation schedules. The results further revealed that treatment I2 (0.7 IW : CPE ratio) recorded significantly higher av. plant height at 20 and 50 DAS and at harvest, av. number of branches per plant, av. number of pods per plant, av. number of seeds per pod, av. pod length (cm) and test weight (1000- seed weight in g). Treatment I2 (0.7 IW : CPE ratio) secured the highest seed yield (1234.03 kg ha-1) and dry fodder yield (2303.47 kg ha-1) of summer greengram. The seed and dry fodder yield increase under the same treatment was to the tune of 110.86 and 34.35 per cent, respectively over treatment lo (Control- critical growth stages). Significantly the highest nitrogen uptake (49.21 kg ha-1) by seed was observed under treatment I2 (0.7 IW : CPE ratio), while same treatment recorded significantly higher phosphorus uptake (4.06 kg ha-1) and was being at par with treatment I3 (0.9 IW: CPE ratio). The consumptive use of water was increased with increase in IW : CPE ratio, whereas the water use efficiency was higher with lower IW : CPE ratio. The highest net realization (18515 Rs. ha-1) was secured under treatment I2 (0.7 IW : CPE ratio), followed by h (0.9 IW : CPE ratio) and Ii (0.5 IW : CPE ratio), while the lowest net realization (6354 Rs. ha-1) was found under treatment lo (Control- critical growth stages). The highest net ICBR (1:7.17) was secured under treatment h (0.7 IW : CPE ratio), followed by the treatments I1 (0.5 IW : CPE ratio) with net ICBR of 1: 5.68 and I3 (0.9 IW: CPE ratio) with net ICBR of 1:3.63. Among the various mulches, application of organic mulch i.e. Bajra Bhusa @ 51 ha-1 (M1) resulted in the maximum growth and yield attributes which ultimately resulted in higher seed and dry fodder yield of summer greengram. Application of organic mulch i.e. Bajra Bhusa @ 51 ha-1 (M1) secured significantly the highest seed yield (1128.47 kg ha-1) and dry fodder yield (2076.39 kg ha-1). The seed and dry fodder yield increase under the same treatment was to the tune of 41.79 and 17.48 per cent respectively over treatment Mo (Control-no mulch). Treatment M1 (organic mulch) recorded significantly the highest nitrogen uptake (42.89 kg ha-1) in seed. Apart from this, it secured the highest consumptive use of water and water use efficiency. The highest value of net realization (16289 Rs. ha-1) and net ICBR 1:1.52 were observed under the same treatment. During the course of investigation, interaction effect of irrigation and mulches revealed that treatment combination of I0M2 (Control: at critical growth stage and black polythene sheet) recorded significantly lower toted weed count and dry weight of weed at harvest. For securing higher seed yield and net realization from summer greengram crop Cv. GM- 4 raised on loamy sand soils of middle Gujarat, it is advisable to apply nine irrigations, 2nd irrigation of 25 mm depth and rest of the irrigations, each of 50 mm depth to be scheduled at an IW : CPE ratio of 0.7. The first irrigation should be applied immediately after sowing, second at seven days after first irrigation and remaining irrigations at an interval of seven days with application as organic mulch i.e. Bajra Bhusa @ 5 t ha-1 (M1) for securing higher seed yield and maximum net realization over control i.e. no mulch.ThesisItem Open Access INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN Kharif PIGEONPEA [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITION(AAU, Anand, 2004) PATEL, CHIRAGKUMAR NATVARBHAI; SADHU, A. C.A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2002 at the College Agronomy Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand campus, Anand to study the "Integrated nutrient management in Kharif pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] under irrigated condition". The soil of the experimental plot was loamy sand in texture having good drainage, low in nitrogen, medium in phosphorus and rich in potash with pH 7.9. Twelve treatment combinations consisting of four levels of bio-fertilizer / FYM (control, Rhizobium inoculation, Rhizobium + PSB inoculation and Rhizobium + PSB inoculation +FYM @ 10 t / ha) and three fertility levels (0 %, 50 % and 100 % recommended dose of fertilizers i.e. 25 kg N + 50 kg P2O5 / ha) were tested under factorial randomized block design with four replications. The results indicated that the growth and yield parameters as well as yield and protein content in grain were significantly affected by different bio-fertilizer / FYM levels. The treatment of Rhizobium + PSB inoculation +FYM @ 10 t / ha recorded significantly the highest plant height at harvest, no. of branches / plant, no of pods / plant, pod length and test weight. This treatment being at par with Rhizobium + PSB inoculation treatment also recorded significantly higher values of plant height at 30 DAS, no of seeds / pod, grain yield / plant and protein content in grain (23.59 %) than control and Rhizobiiim inoculation alone. Marked increase in the growth and yield attributes resulted in significantly the highest grain and straw yields (1495 kg/ha and 5186 kg/ha, respectively) under the treatment of Rhizobium + PSB inoculation +FYM @ 10 t / ha. It also recorded the highest net realization of Rs 16,413 / ha, while maximum C.B.R. of 3.35 was recorded under the treatment of Rhizobium + PSB inoculation. The results revealed that different fertility levels had marked influence on various parameters except harvest index. Each increase in fertility levels from no. fertilizer to 100 % recommended fertilizer dose (25 kg N + 50 kg P2O5 / ha) significantly increased the growth and yield attributes, yield as well as protein content in grains. Application of 100 % recommended dose of fertilizers recorded significantly the highest plant height at 30 DAS and at harvest, no. branches / plant, no of pods / plant, pod length, no of seeds / pod, test weight, grain yield / plant and this resulted in significantly the highest grain as well as straw yields (1530 kg/ha and 4529 kg/ha, respectively) under this fertility level. Significantly the highest protein content in grain (23.91 %) was also recorded under 100 % recommended fertilizer dose. This treatment also gave the highest net realization of Rs 17,462 / ha with maximum C.B.R. of 3.12. During the course of investigation, interaction effect of bio-fertilizer / FYM levels X fertility levels revealed that treatment combination of Rhizobium +PSB inoculation +FYM @ 10 t / ha +100 % recommended fertilizer dose (25 kg N + 50 kg P2O5 / ha) recorded the highest no.of pods / plant (147.8) and the highest grain yield (1643 kg/ha). Rhizobium +PSB inoculation +FYM @ 10 t / ha + 100 % recommended fertilizer dose also recorded the highest net realization of Rs 17490 / ha, while the maximum C.B.R. (3.12) was recorded under treatment combination Rhizobium +PSB inoculation +100 % recommended fertilizer dose (25 kg N + 50 kg P2O5 / ha). In light of the results obtained from this investigation, it is revealed that the seeds of pigeonpea should be treated with Rhizobium and Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria along with the application of 10 t FYM / ha and 100 % recommended fertilizer dose (25 kg N + 50 kg P2O5 / ha) for getting maximum yield and net profit from pigeonpea under middle Gujarat agro-climatic conditions.ThesisItem Open Access RESPONSE OF INDIAN MUSTARD [BRASSICA JUNCEA (L.) CZERN & COSS] TO BIOFERTILIZERS AND LEVELS OF NITROGEN AND SULPHUR(AAU, Anand, 2002) Makwana, Naineshkumar Kantibhai; Sadhu, A. C.A field experiment was conducted at the College Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand during Rabi season of 2000-2001 to study the "RESPONSE OF INDIAN MUSTARD [BRASSICA JUNCEA (L.) CZERN &. COSS] TO BIOFERTILIZERS AND LEVELS OF NITROGEN AND SULPHUR". The soil of the experimental plot was loamy sand in texture having good drainage with 7.6 pH. The soil was low in organic matter, available nitrogen and sulphur, medium in available phosphorus and fairly rich in potassium. The experiment comprised three levels of biofertilizer (no inoculation, inoculation with Azotobacter, Chroococcum and inoculation with Azospirillum lipoferum), three levels of nitrogen (25, 50 and 75 kg N ha-1) and two levels of sulphur (0 and 30 kg S ha-1). The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed that plant population at harvest was not influenced by various treatments consisting levels of biofertilizer, nitrogen and sulpur. Growth characters like plant height, leaf area index and primary branches per plant showed significant improvement due to Azotobacter or Azospirillum inoculation. However, the number of secondary branches per plant were significantly the highest under Azotobacter inoculation treatment. The yield attributes viz., length of siliqua, number of seeds per siliqua, seed yield per plant as well as seed and stover yields were significantly increased by inoculation with Azotobacter or Azospirilium over control. However, the number of siliquae per plant was significantly increased by Azotobacter inoculation only. Perusal of these data indicated that maximum vegetative and reproductive growth as well as yield were achieved by inoculating the seeds with Azotobacter. Inoculation with Azotobactor or Azospirillum recorded significantly higher protein content (18.38 and 18.41 per cent, respectively) in seed, while oil content was remain unaffected due to biofertilizer inoculation treatments. Application of 50 and 75 kg N ha-1 had significantly increased the growth attributes viz. plant height, leaf area index and number of primary and secondary branches per plant as compared to 25 kg N ha-1. The yield attributes viz. number of siliquae per plant, seeds per siliqua. siliqua length and finally the seed yield of mustard were significantly influenced due to nitrogen levels. Application of 50 kg N ha-1 gave maximum number of siliquae per plant, seeds per siliqua, siliqua length and seed yield of mustard and it was significantly superior than control. However, test weight, seed yield per plant, stover yield and harvest index of mustard were not influenced significantly due to nitrogen levels. With increase in nitrogen levels, the oil content in seed was decreased, while protein content was increased linearly. The plant height, leaf area index and number of primary and secondary branches per plant were significantly increased by application of 30 kg S ha-1 Application of 30 kg S ha-1 gave significantly higher number of siliquae per plant, seeds per siliqua, siliqua length, seed yield per plant as well as seed yield of mustard as compared to no sulphur application. Test weight, stover yield and harvest index of mustard were not altered Significantly due to sulphur fertilization. Among the quality parameters, oil content in seed was significantly increased with 30 kg S ha-1 where as protein content was remain unaffected. From the foregoing results, it is pertinent that mustard gave the highest yield as well as net return when it was given a seed treatment with Azotobacter and fertilized with 50 kg nitrogen and 30 kg sulphur per hectare under middle Gujarat agroclimatic conditions.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF SEED RATE AND PLANTING GEOMETRY ON WEED GROWTH AND YIELD OF LATE SOWN WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.)(AAU, Anand, 2004) MACHHAR, RAMSINGBHAI G.; Tank, D. A.A field experiment was conducted at college Agronomy Farm, B A College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during Rabi season of 2002-2003 to study the effect of seed rate and planting geometry on weed growth and yield of late sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under middle Gujarat condition. The soil of the experimental plot was loamy sand in texture, having sufficient drainage with pH 7.89. The soil status was medium in available nitrogen and phosphorus and high in available potash. Twelve treatment combination comprising two levels of seed rate (R1 -150 kg/ ha and R2 - 200 kg/ha), two planting geometries (S1 - row spacing at 22.5 cm and S2 - cross sowing at 22.5 cm) and three weed control-methods (W1 - weedy check, W2 - weed free and W3, pre- emergence application of pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with four replications. Results revealed that total weed count/ m2 and dry weight of weeds (g/m2) recorded lower under higher seed rate (R2 - 200 kg/ ha) whereas it was higher under lower seed rate (R1 -150 kg/ha) at 30, 45, 60 DAS and at harvest with weed control efficiency of 15.29 per cent. Total weed count/m2 and dry weight of weeds (g/m2) were significantly lower under criss cross sowing at 22.5 cm (S2) as compared to line sowing at 22.5 cm (S1) at all the growth stages. The weed control efficiency was recorded 19.89 per cent under R2 over R1 Weed control methods differed significantly in case of weed count/m2 as well as dry weight weeds (g/m2). Weed free (W2) recorded 100 per cent control of weeds at all the stages. However, weedy check showed the highest weed population and dry weight of weeds over rest of the treatments. Weed free (W2) recorded 100 per cent weed control efficiency followed by pre emergence application of pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha (84.55 %). Crop sown with higher seed rate of 200 kg/ ha (R2) had significantly increased growth attributes viz., plant population/m2, plant height, crop dry biomass (g/plant), leaf area (cm2/plant) over lower seed rate of 150 kg/ha (R1) at all the growth stages. Plant height and crop dry biomass were significantly greater at all the growth stages except at 60 and 75 DAS in respect to plant height and only at 45 DAS incase of crop dry biomass. However, leaf area (cm2/plant) was markedly increased under lower seed rate (150 kg/ha) at all the stages. Similarly, yield attributing characters like length of spike, number of spikelets/spike, number of grains/spike and test weight (g/1000 grains) were maximum under lower seed rate (150 kg/ha) than these recorded under higher seed rate (200 kg/ha). While a number of productive tillers/m2 and total tillers/m2 recorded maximum under higher seed rate (200 kg/ha) than these of lower seed rate (150 kg/ha) resultantly produced more grain, straw and biological yields. The reverse was true for non-productive tillers/m2. Harvest index (%) did not significantly under both rate of seed. In case of planting geometry, the periodical plant height measured at various growth stages and plant population/m2 (15 DAS) did not differ significantly. Whereas, leaf area (cm2/plant) at 45 and 75 DAS as well as crop dry biomass (g/plant) at 75 DAS showed significant increase under criss cross sowing at 22.5 cm (S2). over line sowing at 22.5 cm (S1). Further, yield attributes like productive tillers/m2, total tillers/m2, length of spikes, number of spikelets/spike, number of grains/spike, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield were increased significantly under criss cross sowing (S2) over line sowing at 22.5 cm (S1). While non-productive tillers/m2 and harvest index (%) were found to be non-significant. Among the weed control-methods, there was no significant difference found in plant population/m2 (15 DAS) as well as plant height at various growth stages except at 45 DAS. Significantly the greater leaf area (cm2/plant), length of spike, number of spikelets/spike, number of grains/spike, test weight (g) and in turn more grain yield, straw yield and biological yield were recorded under weed free treatment compared to weedy check but it was closely followed by pre emergence application of pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha. Grain yield established positive and significant correlation (r) with most of the growth and yield attributes. While negative and significant correlation was obtained with total weed population/ m2 as well as dry weight of weeds (g/m2). Thus, the present study indicated that potential production and profit, from wheat variety GW-173V. under late sown condition, can be secured by cross sowing at 22.5 cm along with 200 kg/ha of seed rate in all three conditions i.e no weed control, weed free condition and chemical weed control (pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 1.0 kg /ha ). However, inorder to derive maximum yield and monetary return, crop field should be kept weed free either manual weeding or pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg/ha.ThesisItem Open Access NITROGEN MANAGEMENT IN TRANSPLANTED SUMMER PEARLMILLET (cv. GHB-558) UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT CONDITIONS(AAU, Anand, 2005) MAHAR, HIMANSHUKUMAR NAGAJIBHAI; TANK, D. A.A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soil of the College Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand to study "Nitrogen management in transplanted summer pearlmillet (cv. GHB-558) imder middle Gujarat conditions" conducted during summer season of 2004. The soil of experimental plot was loamy sand in texture. The soil status was low in organic carbon and available nitrpgen, while medium in available phophorus and high in available potash with pH 7.8 and EC value 0.15 dSm-1. Twenty four treatment combinations comprising two levels of seedling inoculation (A0 - uninoculation, A1 - seedling inoculation with Azospirillum lipoferum), four levels of nitrogen (N1 - 80 kg N ha-1, N2 - lOO kg N ha-1 N3 - 120 kg N ha-1 and N4 - 140 kg N ha-1) and three levels of nitrogen splitting (M1 - 1/2 + 1/2 + 0, M2 - 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 and M3 - 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/4 each at basal, tillermg and boot leaf stages, respectively) were tried in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with three replications.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF DATES OF SOWING AND STAGES OF HARVESTING ON FORAGE YIELD AND QUALITY OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) VARIETIES(AAU, Anand, 2000) Gour, Vinay; Patel, T. D.The investigation was earned out at the Forage Research Project Farm, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand during the year 1999, to assess the "Effect of dates of sowing and stages of harvesting on forage yield and quality of maize varieties". The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design with three replications. The treatment comprised of three dates of sowing (30th June, 15th July, and 30th July), three harsvesting stages (Tasseling, Silking and Milking stages) and two varieties (African Tall, Gujarat Maize-2). The study revealed that the sowing of maize crop on 30th June (D]) recorded significantly higher leaf length, leaf width, total number leaves and stem thickness, llie highest GFY, DMY, CPY, NDF, IVDMD and DDM were also obtained when maize crop was sown on 30th June. June. The harvesting of maize crop at silking stage (T3) recorded significantly high leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves and stem thickness. The highest GFY, DMY, CPY, INDF and DDM were also obtained when crop was harvested at milking stage but harvesting at tasseling stage gave significantly higher CP and IVDMD contents. Among two varieties, variety African Tall (V2) produced significantly higher total number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width and stem thickness. The highest GFY, DMY, CPY and DDM production as well as DM content were also obtained with variety African Tall, but variety Gujarat Maize-2 synthesized significantly higher CP and IVDMD contents. From the results of the investigation it could be inferred that rowing of maize crop on 30th June using variety African Tall and harvesting it at milking stage was most effective in obtaining the higher green forage, dry matter as well as crude protein yield , which is also superior in quality.ThesisItem Open Access WEED MANAGEMENT UNDER DIFFERENT DATE OF SOWING IN DWARF WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) CV. GW-496(AAU, Anand, 2003) PARMAR, RAJESHBHAI RAMABHAI; PATEL, M. L.A field experiment was conducted at the College Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand to find out "Weed management under different date of sowing in dwarf wheat (Triticum aestivum 1.) Cv. GW-496" during rabi season of 2001-2002. The soil of the experimental area was loamy sand in texture having good drainage capacity with 7.8 pH. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications. Eighteen treatment combinations comprising three different sowing dates (20th November normal sown, 5th December and 20th December, mid late and late sown respectively) and six weed management practices (Isoproturon pre-emergence @ 1.0 kg ha-1. Isoproturon pre-emergence @ 1.0 kg ha-1 +2,4-D Na salt @ 0.500 kg ha-1 at 35 DAS, Isoproturon pre-emergence @ 1.0 kg ha-1 + HW at 35 DAS, 2,4-D Na salt @ 0.750 kg ha-1 at 21 DAS, Hand weeding twice 20 and 40 DAS and weedy check). The results indicated that the normal date of sowing gave significantly higher grain yield than mid late and late sowing. The yield components were markedly affected due lo an anomaly of prevalent weather conditions and finally the grain yields. The normal sowing date of wheat which may attributed lo provide sufficient period for vegetative growth of crop resulting in higher yield attributes whereas late sown crop was exposed to higher temperature during its reproductive phase which may had caused adverse effect on fertile spikelets, grain development and its ripening, so normal sown wheat had gave significant higher grain yield and finally the higher net economic return. Study on weed flora revealed that total weed population and weed biomass at harvest had almost the same trend as that of grain yield. These characters showed declining trend, corresponding with the delay in sowing. Weed control methods significantly lower down the total weed population and weed biomass at harvest. The application of isoproturon pre-emergence @ 1.0 kg ha-1 + HW at 35 DAS recorded lowest number of total weed count and weed biomass at harvest while, it was highest under weedy check. The weed free treatment HW twice recorded significantly lower weed biomass and weed count. Growth and yield attributes of wheat crop were also influenced by weed management practices, isoproturon pre-emergence @ 1.0 kg ha-1 + HW at 35 DAS had recorded significantly higher plant height as compared to weedy check. Similarly, the number of effective tillers/plant, length of earhead, number of grains/earhead and grain weight/earhead and test weight. Interaction effect of date of sowing x weed control method revealed that the treatment combination isoproturon pre-emergence @ 1 .0 kg ha-1 + HW at 35 DAS under normal sown condition gave maximum grain yield and yield attributing characters, but it was almost similar to hand weeding twice under normal sown condition. The total weed population and weed biomass at harvest were lowest in late sown condition under isoproturon pre-emergence @ 1.0 kg ha-1 + HW at 35 DAS. Looking to the economics of various treatment combinations normal date of sowing with application of isoproturon pre-emergence @ 1.0 kg ha-1 + HW at 35 DAS had recorded maximum net profit (Rs. 24264/ha) followed by hand weeding twice under normal date of sowing (Rs. 23145/ha) with CBR of 1:2.79 and 1:3.06, respectively.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RHIZOBIUM INOCULATION ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF PEAS (Pisum sativum L.)(AAU, Anand, 2002) Jhala, Amitkumar Jayendrasinh; TRIVEDI, G. C.A field investigation was carried out during Rabi season of 2001-2002 on loamy sand soil of College Agronomy Farm, under AICRP on Weed Control, BA. College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand to study the "EFFECT OF WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RHIZOBIUM INOCULATION ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF PEAS (Pisum sativum L.)". Eight weed management treatments comprising three pre-emergence herbicides each at two levels viz., fluchloralin (0.45 and 0.90 kg/ha), pendimethalin (0.50 and 0.75 kg/ha) and alachlor (0.60 and 1.2 kg/ha). Hand weedmg twice at 15 and 30 DAS and weedy check combined with and without Rhizobium inoculation under factorial randomized complete block design with four replications. Seed treatment with Rhizobium moculation was given in the morning on the day of sowing. Herbicides application were made the next day of sowing with the help of knapsack sprayer fitted with a flatfan nozzle using 500 litre water/ha spray solution. The net plot size was 12.0 m2. The pea crop (cv. Arkel) was sown on 27th November, 2001 with row spacing of 30 x 10 cm using seed rate 120 kg/ha. The crop received a uniform dose of 20 kg nitrogen, 75 kg phosphorus and 35 kg potash as urea, single super phosphate and murate of potash. The crop was harvested on 18 February, 2002. The study indicated that among different weed management treatments, hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS followed by pendimethalin 0.5 and 0.75 kg/ha were most effective in controlling weeds. These treatments reduced the dry weight of weeds 136.87, 522.29 and 585.10 kg/ha, respectively) by 88.00 to 97.2% as compared to unweeded control (4881.56 kg/ha). The Rhizobium inoculation treatments were not significantly different. Of the different weed control treatments, the higher pod yield was obtained under treatment hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (8547 kg/ha), followed by pendimethalin 0.75 and 0.5 kg/ha and fluchloralin 0.9 kg/ha having 7724, 7314 and 7233 kg/ha, respectively. The yield differences among these treatments were not significant. Plant growth as well as yield attributing characters were higher under these treatments. The Rhizobium inoculation treatments were not significant but they are superior than the lowest pod yield (3175.00 kg/ha) recorded under weedy check with weed index (62.85%). Weed control practices restricted the nutrient removal by weeds substantially compared with the unweeded check. Weeds removed 262.63, 60.04 and 304.61 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha, respectively. The protein content (%) of pea seeds were also significantly influenced by weed management practices. The highest protein (9.18 %) was recorded during third picking in treatment W3 (Pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha). Correlation studies indicated that all weed parameters were negatively correlated with pod yield and yield attributes. The highest net returns (Rs. 53,856/ha) was obtained by the hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS + Rhizobium inoculation followed by hand weeding twice without Rhizobium inoculation, (indicates that seed treatment with Rhizobium inoculation was not much more beneficial) pendimethalin 0.5 kg/ha + Rhizobium inoculation which gave net profit of Rs. 50,328 and 50,099/ha, respectively. The benefit : cost ratio were also higher in these treatments (2.49 - 2.59).ThesisItem Open Access INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION SCHEDULE AND NITROGEN ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF GRAIN AMARANTHUS (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) cv. GA-2 UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT CONDITIONS(AAU, Anand, 2002) DUTTA, SOUMYADEEP; PATEL, R. H.A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand Campus, Anand during the rabi season of 2001-02 to study the influence of irrigation schedule and nitrogen on growth, yield and quality of grain amaranthus ( Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) cv. GA-2 under middle Gujarat conditions. The soil of the experimental plot was loamy-sand in texture, having a good drainage, with pH 7.8. The soil was low in organic matter and available nitrogen, while medium in available phosphorus and high in potassium. The experiment comprised combinations of five irrigation schedules based on critical growth stages viz., I1 (irrigations at early vegetative growth, flowering, grain formation and grain filling stages), I2 (irrigations at early vegetative growth, active vegetative growth, grain formation and grain filling stages), I3 ( irrigations at early vegetative growth, active vegetative growth, flowering and grain filling stages), I4 (irrigations at early vegetative growth, active vegetative growth, flowering and grain formation stages) and I5 ( irrigations at early vegetative growth, active vegetative growth, flowering, grain formation and grain filling stages) in main plots, with three levels of nitrogen (25, 50 and 75 kg N ha-1) in sub-plots. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications. One common irrigation was given to all the treatments for initial establishment of the crop. Results revealed that plant population at harvest was not influenced by irrigation. Plant height studied during the course of investigation showed significant improvement due to application of irrigation at various growth stages. Perusal of these data indicated that, in general, significantly maximum vegetative growth was achieved by application of five irrigations each at early and active vegetative growth, flowering, grain formation and grain filling stages (I5). The yield attributes viz., number of panicles per plant, length of main panicle, days to 50% flowering and maturity, seed yield per plant, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index were significantly influenced by irrigating the crop at different critical growth stages. On the contrary, variation in the test weight of seeds due to irrigation treatments was absent. Increased vegetative growth due to irrigation application had brought concomitant improvement in yield and yield attributes. Application of irrigation at I5 level was deduced to be optimum and registered significantly the highest grain yield. Both the nitrogen and protein content of grains were significantly influenced by irrigation. It was observed that the nitrogen as well as the protein content in grain significantly improved upto I5 level of irrigation. The plant population was not influenced by nitrogen application. Plant height was significantly influenced by nitrogen application at 60 and 90 DAS, and at harvest, but its effect was not observed at 30 DAS. The optimum nitrogen level recorded at 60 DAS was 50 kg N ha-1 (N2), while at 90 DAS and at harvest the plant height significantly increased upto 75 kg N ha-1 (N3). Profound vegetative growth due to adequate supply of N resulted in significantly higher number of panicles, length of main panicle, seed yield per plant, grain yield and straw yield. High nitrogen dosage delayed both 50% flowering and maturity stages of amaranthus crop. However, variation in the seed test weight and harvest index was absent. Nitrogen level N3 ( 75 kg ha-1) was found to be optimum for yield and most yield attributes. From the foregoing results it is pertinent that grain amaranth variety GA-2 gave highest yield as well as net returns when it was irrigated five times (at early and active vegetative growth, flowering, grain formation, and grain filling stages) and fertilized with 75 kg N ha-1, applied in two splits.