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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 A STUDY ON ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDED CHILLI TECHNOLOGY IN VADODARA DISTRICT OF GUJARAT STATE(AAU, Anand, 2005) PATEL, BABUBHAI DAHYABHAI; Trivedi, M. S.Horticulture sector is a prominent sector among agriculture and allied activities as means of diversification and nature has placed India in a place of pride on horticultural development map of the world. India is second largest producer, consumer and exporter of spice and spice based byproduct. In the orient chilli popularly known as mirchi (Capsicum annum L.) is an important commercial and vegetable cum spice crop of India. The total area, production and productivity of chilli crop in India and Gujarat looks impressive but is not up to mark of its potential. The above facts would substantiate the need to find out such lacuna on the part of chilli growers. One way by which extension scientist can contribute to this task is to find out better ways and means of promoting chilli cultivation technology. There is a great scope of increasing its export by increasing its quality production through adoption of modern chilli cultivation technology. Thus, looking to the importance of factors related with adoption of chilli cultivation technology for narrowing the gap existing between actual yield to its potential yield a study entitle "A STUDY ON ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDED CHILLI TECHNOLOGY IN VADODARA DISTRICT OF GUJARAT STATE" was under taken with following specific objectives. 1. To study the personal, social, economic and psychological characteristics of chilli growers. 2. To determine the extent of adoption of recommended chilli technology by chilli growers. 3. To ascertain the relationship if any between selected characteristics of chilli growers and their adoption of recommended chilli technology. 4. To know the constraints faced by chilli growers in adoption of recommended chilli technology. 5. To seek the suggestions of chilli growers to overcome the constraints faced by them. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted in Vadodara district of Gujarat state. Out of twelve talukas, three talukas having higher land under chilli cultivation were purposively selected. 150 chilli growers from 15 village of these selected taluka were randomly selected for study purpose and considered as respondents. There response was collected through pre tested, well structured, Gujarati version, personal interview schedule. The respondents were contacted at their home or at their field. The dependent and independent variables were measured by utilizing appropriate scale and procedures adopted by other research worker with some modifications. The statistical tools used to analyze the data were: percentage, mean, standard deviation, coefficient of correlation and path coefficient.' MAJOR FINDINGS 1. More than three fifth of the chilli growers were belonged to middle age group. 2. A large majority of the chilli growers were literate and very few were illiterate. 3. Slightly more than half of the respondent had medium level of experience. 4. Overwhelming majority of the chilli growers were found untrained. 5. More than three fourth of the chilli growers had large size of family. 6. More than three fifth of the chilli growers had medium extension contact. 7. A large majority of the chilli grower had membership in an organization. 8. Slightly less than two third of the chilli growers had medium utilization of information source. 9. More than two third of the chilli growers had large size of land holding. 10. Chilli growers according to their annual income were more or less equally distributed. 11. More than two third of the respondents had farming as their main occupation. 12. Overwhelming majority of the chilli growers had cropping intensity up to 125 percent. 13. More than half of the respondents had medium level of cosmopoliteness. 14. Nearly less than two third of the chilli growers fall in group of medium economic motivation. 15. Exactly three fifth of the chilli growers had medium level of scientific orientation. 16. More than two third of the chilli growers had medium level of riskorientation. 17. More than two third of the chilli growers had medium level of knowledge regarding chilli cultivation technology. 18. More than two third of the chilli growers had medium level of adoption regarding chilli cultivation technology. 19. Out of seventeen dependent variables, eleven variables were significantly correlated with the adoption level of recommended chilli technology. Amongst the eleven variables, ten variables viz, education, training received, extension contact, social participation, source of information utilized, cosmopoliteness, economic motivation, scientific orientation, risk orientation and knowledge had positive and significant correlation with their level of adoption whereas age was negatively and significantly correlated. Rest independent variables viz, experience in chilli cultivation, size of family, size of land holding, annual income, occupation and cropping intensity failed to show any correlation with the adoption level. 20. Among the seventeen variables five variables Viz, knowledge, education, training received, extent of sources of information utilized and annual income contributed 74.90 per cent variation on extent of adoption of chilli technology by the chilli growers and training received and knowledge exerted powerful effect on it. 21. Knowledge of the chilli growers regarding chilli cultivation technology was the key variable in exerting considerable direct and substantial effect on adoption of recommended chilli cultivation technology. Risk orientation and training received were the major trait in determination of adoption level through positive indirect effect where as age of the chilli growers is only character which influenced negatively and indirectly. 22. High cost of inputs, lack of man power, irregular electric supply and lack of finance were the major constraint faced by the chilli growers in adoption of recommended chilli technology. 23. A large majority of the chilli grower's opion that efforts should be made to minimize the input cost followed by timely and sufficient electric supply should be provided to minimize the constraints they faced in adoption of recommended technology.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON EVALUATION OF AGROCHEMICALS AND PHYTOEXTRACTS AGAINST Cercospora nicotianae, THE CAUSE OF FROG-EYE SPOT DISEASE OF BIDI TOBACCO(AAU, Anand, 2005) CHAUDHARI, SAHDEVBHAI L.; PATEL, B. N.Investigations on various media for establishing their suitability for favourable growth and efficacy of agrochemicals and bio-pesticides including phytoextracts for their inhibitory action against Cercospora nicotianae, the cause of frog eye spot disease of bidi tobacco under in vitro conditions were carried out at Bidi Tobacco Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during 2003-04. In subsequent study, effective fungicides, insecticides, readymade bio-pesticides and acqueous leaf extracts of plant species were tested against the disease under nursery conditions. Reaction of bidi tobacco varieties/genotypes against the disease under nursery conditions was also studied Out of 7 media evaluated, carrot leaf decoction agar, fennel leaf decoction agar, coriander leaf decoction agar and sava leaf decoction agar were found to be highly favourable for good growth of C nicotianae (52.40 to 60.80 mm colony diameter). Among these, fermel leaf decoction agar, coriander leaf decoction agar and sava leaf decoction agar were established for the first time as suitable media for the growth of the fungus (52.40 to 54.80 mm colony diameter) imder laboratory condition. Carbendazim, thiophanate methyl, benomyl, mancozeb and Cosco (Carboxin 37.5 % + Thirum 37.5 %) 75 WP were most effective and completely suppressed the growth of the fungus on carrot leaf decoction agar under in vitro condition. Out of 16 insecticides, carbaryl and dichlorovos were effective and inhibitated the growth to the extent of 85.9 and 82.6 %, respectively. Among 29 plant species evaluated, acqueous leaf extract of Tecoma stans @ 25 % was most effective (76.0 % inhibition); this was followed by E. citriodora (49.0 % inhibition). Six readymade bio-pesticides viz., Econeem, Biosoft, Halt, Vanguard, Monitor-WP and Biolep were found highly effective in inhibiting the growth of C. nicotianae in vitro; the per cent inhibition ranged between 75.3 and 92.4. Results of evaluation of effective fungicides, viz., carbendazim @ 0.025 %, thiophanate methyl @ 0.07 %, mancozeb @ 0.2 %, Cosco @ 0.3 % and benomyl @ 0.025 %, leaf extracts of plant species viz., Tecoma stans and Eucalyptus citriodora, both at 25 %, insecticides carbaryl @ 0.2 % and dichlorovos @ 0.05 % and readymade biopesticides viz., Econeem @ 0.075 % and Biosofl @ 0.4 % under nursery conditions revealed that among fimgicides, carbendazim and thiophanate methyl were most effective in the management of the disease giving better yield of transplants; these fungicides gave 100 and 96.6 % control, respectively. Between two plant species, acqueous leaf extract of T. stans gave 85.0 % control of the disease and significantly more number of transplants than control. Taking into account two most important attributes in the nursery viz., per cent disease intensity and transplants, two insecticides and two readymade bio-pesticides tested were not considered as effective against the disease. Among 10 different varieties/genotypes screened none was found free from the disease under nursery conditions. The variety GTH1, however, had minimum per cent disease intensity (45.60) and the variety Anand 119 had maximum per cent disease intensity (73.67). The results of the present investigations, thus, indicated that in addition to carrot leaf decoction agar, three more media viz., fennel leaf decoction agar, coriander leaf decoction agar and sava leaf decoction agar were established as favourable for the growth of C. nicotianae under laboratory condition. Two fungicides, carbendazim and thiophanate methyl, were most effective in the management of the disease in nursery. Efficacy of acqueous leaf extract of T. starts against frog-eye spot disease in nursery was established for the first time; it was found to yield significantly more number of transplants when compared with control. Leaf extract of T. stans could be used individually as botanical pesticide in minimizing losses due to the disease in question or it could be integrated with chemical flingicide/s. If integrated, it could help in minimizing frequency of applications of chemical fungicide/s, thus reducing the cost of seedlings production. Under these circumstances, it would also minimize the danger of resistance development in C nicotianae under nursery conditions. However, detailed integrated schedule would need to be worked out before it can be advocated to the growers. Since none of the ten varieties/genotypes of bidi tobacco was resistant, it ultimately suggested that more extensive work involving very large number of genotypes is needed in order to locate resistance or tolerance to frog-eye spot disease.ThesisItem Open Access RESPONSE OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PLANTING DISTANCE AND NITROGEN ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF CHINA ASTER (Callistephus chinensis L. Nees) Cv. "Kamini"(AAU, Anand, 2005) PATEL, KETULKUMAR KACHARABHAI; Patel, H. C.A field experiment was conducted at college Nursery of B.A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during the year 2003-04 with the objects to study the response of different levels of planting distance and nitrogen on growth and flowering of China aster Cv. 'Kamini' with 9 treatment combinations in Factorial Randomized Block Design which was replicated thrice, considering three levels of planting distance (30 x 10 cm, 30 x 20 cm and 30 x 30 cm) and three levels of nitrogen (100,200 and 300 kg/ha). The wider planting distance D3 (30 x 30 cm, 1,11,111 plants/ha) exerted the greatest influence on various growth parameters such as number of branches (31.00). Further, the wider planting distance also recorded maximum fresh weight of individual flower (1.83 g), number of flowers per plant (32.48), flower diameter (4.89 cm) and length of flower stalk (27.23 cm), minimum number of days required for first flowering (95.99 days), 50 % flowering (112.62 days) and increased nitrogen content of leaf (1.98 %). However, due to low plant density the widest planting distance had produced lowest flower yield (6.82 t/ha). On the other hand, the closest planting distance D1 (30 X 10 cm, 3,33,333 plants/ha) recorded the higher value for some of growth parameter such as plant height (55.54 cm) and lower value for individual flower diameter (4.47 cm) because of high plant density but same treatment has produced the maximum flower yield of 15.00 t/ha. An application of higher dose of nitrogen (300 kg/ha) produced maximum plant height. (54.16 cm) and number of branches (30.39). Further, it also recorded the maximum fresh weight of individual flower (1.96 g). number of flowers per plant (35.19), flower yield per plant (69.77 g) and flower yield per hectare (13.08 t/ha). This treatment also recorded minimum number of days taken for first flowering (97.92 days) and 50 % flowering (111.06 days). It also increased nitrogen content of leaf (2.41 %) as compared to lower levels (100 and 200 kg/ha). The optimum dose of nitrogen (200 kg/ha) gave maximum vase life of flowers (8.00 days). The interaction effect between different levels of planting distance and nitrogen were found to be significant on weight of individual flower, number of flowers per plant, flower yield per plant and per hectare. Treatment combination D3N3 (30 x 30 cm and 300 kg N/ha) produced highest weight of individual flower (2.23 g), number of flowers per plant (40.40) and flower yield per plant (90.71 g). However, the treatment combination D1N3 (30 X 10 cm and 300 kg N/ha) produced highest flower yield per hectare (18.83 t/ha). Finally, in commercially cultivated China aster crop Cv. Kamini grown at narrow planting distance (30 x 10 cm) alongwith adequate supply of nitrogen (300 kg/ha) could be recommended for highest flower production under Gujarat conditions.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 GENETIC VARIABILITY AND ASSOCIATION ANALYSIS IN SLENDER GRAIN RICE {Oryza sativa L.)(AAU, Anand, 2005) PRATAPSINH, MAKAWANA BHAVANISINH; Jadeja, G. C.Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple food crops of tlie world. The nature and magnitude of genetic variability, interrelationships and direct and indirect effects were studied for different yield and quality traits, in different genotypes of slender grain rice. The experiment comprised of slender grain rice, sown in randomized block design with two replications. It was conducted at Main Rice Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Nawagam, during kharif 2004. Genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis were studied for 25 characters viz., days to 50% flowering, number of tillers per plant, plant height, panicle length, grain yield per plant, 1000-grian weight, hulling per cent, milling per cent, head rice recovery, grain length, grain breadth, grain L/B ratio, kernel length, kernel breadth, kernel L/B ratio, kernel length after cooking (KLAC), kernel breadth after cooking (KBAC), kernel elongation ratio (KER), breadth expansion ratio (BER), water uptake (WU), volume expansion ratio (VER), amylose content, protein content, alkali spreading value (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time. The analysis of variances revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters. All the traits exhibited predominance of genotypic variance in total variance and the magnitude of heritability (broad sense) was also high. Moderate estimates of genotypic coefficient of variances were observed for grain yield per plant, 1000-grain weight, head rice recovery and grain L/B ratio; while the quality components tike kernel L/B ratio, breadth expansion ratio, water uptake, alkali spreading value (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time recorded moderate to high genotypic coefficient of variances. High genetic advance (% of mean) coupled with high heritability, were observed for agro-morphological traits viz., plant height, grain yield per plant, 1000-grain weight and grain L/B ratio; whereas the quality traits viz., kernel LiB ratio, breadth expansion ratio, water uptake, alkali spreading value (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time also showed similar trend. Most of the remaining traits recorded moderate genetic advance coupled with high heritability. The characters like grain yield per plant, test weight, head rice recovery and grain L/B ratio exhibited moderate genotypic coefficient of variances, with high heritability and high genetic advance. Parallel trend was observed for the quality characters like kernel L/B ratio, breadth expansion ratio, water uptake alkali score (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time; which indicated the better scope for improvement of these traits by an effective selection programme. The correlation coefficient analysis indicated significant and positive association of grain yield with plant height and grain breadth. Interrelationships among important yield components viz., panicle length, 1000-grain weight and grain length was also noticed. Hulling and milling per cent exhibited significant positive association with each other and with water uptake and volume expansion ratio. Kernel length an important from traders' viewpoint, showed association with grain length, grain L/B ratio, kernel L/B ratio and kernel length after cooking. The quality components like kernel elongation ratio and water uptake showed significant positive association with kernel length after cooking. The protein percent showed negative correlation with water uptake; while alkali score (GT) and water uptake were positively associated. Alkali score (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time showed strong positive association. The path analysis with grain yield as dependent variable, indicated that the high direct effects were observed for plant height, grain length and head rice recovery; while the indirect effects were predominant for panicle length, test weight and grain breadth. The path analysis for quality components with kernel length after cooking, showed high direct effects of kernel length and kernel elongation ratio; whereas selection for kernel L/B ratio, water uptake, alkali score (gelatinization temperature) and cooking time can indirectly improve the cooking quality. Based on mean values of morphological traits the genotypes IET 19004, IET 19035, IET 190037, lET 19044 and lET 19045 were identified as elite genotypes; while IET 19001, IET 19009 and IET 19035 were superior with respect to the pre-cooking quality traits. The genotypes lET 19023, IET 19033, IET 19035 and IET 19036 were superior genotypes based on post-cooking quality traits.ThesisItem Open Access TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF TOBACCO PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY BY TOBACCO GROWERS(AAU, Anand, 2005) TULASIBHAI, PATEL SAHILKUMAR; Patel, B. B.Present era is known as science and technology, where knowledge and skill is being generated in every field at an amazing speed. The emerging knowledge and technology become the strategic resources for accelerating the pace of advancement. So far, it signifies immense importance of speedy and effective transfer of technology and knowledge to the users. "The only way this can be done is through education and training". Hence, a farmer training fits very well in the present context of agricultural extension strategy and has become a significant variable directly influencing the agricultural development. A training program originates with the needs of the training and conducting with its fulfillment. Hence, training needs is the foundation on which the entire training program rests. Thus, the present research study was planned with the following specific objectives: 1. To study the personal and socio-economic characteristics of the tobacco growers. 2. To study the information sources utilized by the tobacco growers. 3. To identify training needs of the tobacco growers. 4. To study relationship if any between personal and socioeconomic characteristics of the tobacco growers and training needs of tobacco growers. 5. To know relative importance of independent variables in assessment of training needs of the tobacco growers. 6. To know direct and indirect effect of independent variables on training needs of the tobacco growers. 7. To ascertain the constraints faced by the tobacco growers in adoption of tobacco cultivation. 8. To know suggestions of the tobacco growers to overcome various constraints faced by them, in tobacco cultivation. The present study was conducted in randomly selected 12 villages of Mahudha taluka of Kheda district. A random sample from 12 villages was selected for the study. The data were collected with the help of interview schedule by conducting personal interview in the month of Feb.-March 2005. For measurement of independent and dependent variables, appropriate scales developed and adopted by other research scientists were used with due modifications. The data were percent, standard deviation, correlation of coefficient, step wise regression and path analysis.ThesisItem Open Access APPLICATION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE OF PLANT MATERIALS FOR ANIMAL HEALTH TREATMENT AMONG THE ANIMAL KEEPERS IN KAPADWANJ TALUKA OF GUJARAT(AAU, Anand, 2005) GOHIL, ASHOKKUMAR MANILAL; Chauhan, N. B.The animal keepers are known in carrying out experiments with plants, animals and natural resources available around them. The information thus, gained by them over a period of time during their everyday experiments with natural resources has been passing by casual way of wisdom from generation to generation by words of mouth. This information in today's parlance is called local knowledge, traditional knowledge, traditional wisdom or simply indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge contains both technical and non-technical fields covering various social and religious taboos, beliefs, customs, communication pattern, music, ecology, vegetation, climate and monsoon. Indigenous knowledge is mostly transferred through the socio-cultural system and it is sustained and developed through the spoken traditions, folk talks, proverbs etc. It is summation of knowledge based on people's accumulated experience and experiments in dealing with situations and problems in a variety of aspects of existence. India has prosperous plant medical cultures in the world. It is uselessness that though numerous medicinal plants exist in all most all villages of rural India, they have remained unexploited due to difficulties regarding recognition and lack of familiarity about medicinal value of the plant materials. It is therefore necessary to have adequate and reliable information on existing situation. With a view to analyzing this, present study on application of indigenous knowledge of plant materials was undertaken in light of the following objectives. 1. To study profile of the animal keepers. 2. To measure the existing indigenous knowledge of the animal keepers about medicinal value of the selected plant materials for animal health treatment. 3. To study the adoption pattern of the animal keepers about medicinal values of the selected plant materials for animal health treatment. 4. To find out relationship between profile of the animal keepers and their indigenous knowledge about medicinal value of the selected plant materials for animal health treatment. 5. To find out relationship between profile of the animal keepers and their adoption about medicinal values of selected plant materials for animal health treatment. 6. To analyze constraints faced by the animal keepers in identification and adoption of medicinal values of plants available around them. 7. To seek the suggestions of the animal keepers to improve their existing status of knowledge and adoption of medicinal values of plants available around them. The methodological procedure consisted of dependent and independent variables, setting and selection of the respondents, analysis of data and various statistical measures used to test the hypothesis. To measure the knowledge of animal keepers about the indigenous medicinal values of the selected plant materials, four types of information was collected for each plant; their knowledge was measured in terms of identification of the plants, awareness about season of availability, which particular part of pants is useful for medicinal purpose and usefulness of plant to treat various diseases of animals. The adoption of plant/ plant material to treat particular disease was measured in three ways as "did not use any time", "used once" and "used more than one time". To measure the selected independent variables the scales developed by various researchers were used with slightly modifications. The present investigation was carried out on a random sample of total 150 animal keepers. The data were collected with the help of structural schedule by personal interview method. The data so collected were coded, classified, tabulated and analyzed in order to make the findings meaningful. MAJOR FINDINGS 1. Majority (51.33 per cent) of the animal keepers had old age, education up to the primary and secondary level (68.67 per cent), above 20 years of farming and animal husbandry experience (65.33 per cent), low level of organizational participation (78.00 per cent), 5 to 8 member in their family (60.67 per cent), nuclear type of family (54.00 per cent), eldest person in their family up to the age of 60 years (60.00 per cent), medium level of extension contact (86.67 per cent), farming and animal husbandry as major occupations (88.67 per cent), up to 4 ha of land holding (57.34 per cent), above 3 animals (52.66 per cent), low level of annual income (56.67 per cent), medium level of cosmopoliteness (82.67 per cent) and medium level of non-fatalism (75.34 per cent). 2. The great majority (58.00 per cent) of the animal keepers opined that the plants are highly useful to eradicate majority of the animal diseases (58.00 per cent), effect shown by plant materials for animal health treatment is very slow but they like to use it (95.33 per cent), indigenous use of plant materials for animal health treatment is not difficult (68.00 per cent), indigenous use of plant materials for animal health treatment is better than allopathic medicines (58.00 per cent), medicinal plants are health promoter for animal health so, they prefer it (100.00 per cent), plants are very cheap for animal health treatment (100.00 per cent). The neutral opinion was received from the majority (70.66 per cent) of them for the statement indigenous medicinal usages of plants do not require more technical knowledge. There was medium point of overall opinion towards the application of selected plants materials for animal health treatment (81.33 per cent). 3. The cent per cent (100.00 per cent) of the animal keepers had knowledge regarding the identification of the plants like Limbdo, Chanothi, Ardusa, Kunvar patho, Suva, Sitaphal, Kachka, Akado, Kuvadiyo, Dhaturo, Vad, Dodi, Tulsi, Isabgul, Gokhru and Ajmo. While majority of them had knowledge regarding identification of the plants like Anghedo (98.00 per cent), Darudi (92.66 per cent), Satavari (75.33 per cent) and Panfutti (72.00 per cent). 4. The cent per cent (100.00 per cent) of the animal keepers had knowledge regarding the season of availability of Limbdo, Chanothi, Ardusa, Kunvar patho, Suva, Sitaphal, Kachka, Akado, Kuvadiyo, Dhaturo, Vad, Dodi, Tulsi, Isabgul, Gokhru, and Ajmo. 5. The cent per cent (100.00 per cent) of the animal keepers had knowledge regarding which particular part of plant is useful for animal health treatment. These plants were Limbdo, Suva, Tulsi, Isabgul and Ajmo. While majority of them had similar knowledge for Sitaphal (99.33 per cent), Akado (99.33 per cent), Dodi (98.66 per cent) Kunvar patho (97.33 per cent), Ardusa (96.00 per cent), Anghedo (92.00 per cent), Vad (89.33 per cent), Dhaturo (97.33 per cent), Chanothi (69.33 per cent), Gokhru (66.66 per cent) and Darudi (60.00 per cent). 6. Majority of the animal keepers had indigenous knowledge of usages of Limbdo for animal health treatment like tumors, skin diseases and cough by 93.33, 82.00, 82.00 and 18.66 per cent, Chanothi for dropping of placenta by 68.00 per cent, Anghedo for the treatment of skin eruption by 76.66 per cent, Ardusa for skin diseases and diarrhoea by 74.66 and 55.33per cent, Kunvar patho for tumors, skin diseases and eye diseases by 84.00, 75.33 and 55.33 per cent, Suva for abdominal pains and urine pains by 100.00 and 88.66 per cent, Sitaphal for foot and mouth diseases and de-worming by 97.33 Mid 54.66 per cent, Darudi for itching by 53.33 per cent, Akado for removing swelling and tumors by 98.00 and 56.00 per cent, Dhaturo for the treatment of asthma by 82.66, per cent, Vad for diarrhoea by 89.33 per cent, Dodi for the treatment of eye diseases by 90.67 per cent, Isabgul for the treatment of dysentery, mild astringent and diarrhoea by 100.00, 99.33 and 92.00 per cent, Gokharu for urinary calculosis by 63.33 per cent and Ajmo for the treatment of dyspepsia in animal by 100.00 per cent, respectively. 7. The level of adoption by animal keepers regarding plant materials for animal health treatment was observed better for those plants which were available around them such as Limbdo was adopted more than once to treat their animal for tumors by (91.33 per cent), skin disease (78.67 per cent), cough (80.66 per cent) and for leprosy (14.00 per cent). Chanothi was used for dropping of placenta (56.66 per cent), Anghedo for removing worm (33.33 per cent) and skin eruption (72.00 per cent), Ardusa for diarrhoea (48.00 per cent), skin disease (68.67 per cent) and dysentery (34.67 per cent), Kunvar patho for tumors (62.66 per cent) and skin disease (57.33 per cent). Suva for abdominal pain (97.33 per cent) and urine pains (86.67 per cent). Other plant like Sitaphal was adopted more than once for deworming (44,00 per cent) and foot and mouth disease (94.00 per cent), Darudi was adopted for the treatment of their animal disease like itching (44.67 per cent), Kachka for treatment of body heating (33.34 per cent), Akado for tumors (53.33 per cent), skin disease (38.67 per cent) and remove swelling (93.34 per cent), Dhaturo for asthma (74.66 per cent), fever (34.00 per cent), skin disease (28.67 per cent), Vad in diarrhoea (80.00 per cent) and dysentery (37.33 per cent), Dodi for increasing milk (21.33 per cent), eye diseases (82.66 per cent) and inducing heat (42.00 per cent), Isabgul for dysentery (100.00 per cent), mild astringent (99.33 per cent) and diarrhoea (89.33 per cent), Gokhru for urinary calculosis (46.00 per cent) and kidney disease (24.00 per cent), where as Ajmo was used in case of dyspepsia by majority of (98.67 per cent) the animal keepers. 8. The indigenous knowledge of the animal keepers about the medicinal values of the selected plant materials was significantly correlated with their age, farming experience, animal husbandry experience and size of family. 9. The level of adoption of indigenous knowledge of the animal keepers about the medicinal values of the selected plant materials was significantly correlated with their age, farming experience, animal husbandry experience and opinion. 10. The major constraints faced by the animal keepers in adoption of plant materials for anunal health treatment in decreasing order of rank were; inadequate training exposure on indigenous uses of plants for animal health treatment, camp on animal health treatment by indigenous plant materials are not arranged at village level, poor campaigning of medicinal uses of plant materials for animal health treatment, unavailability of information from VLWs on medicinal usages of plant materials for animal health treatment and lack of exhibited live specimens of plants useful for animal health treatment. 11. Major suggestion expressed by the animal keepers to encourage indigenous medicinal uses of plants among animal keepers were; medicinal uses of plant for animal health treatment should be exhibited by maintaining live museum at public places like temple or school, available medicinal plants at village level are collect and arrangement for animal health treatments, need to organize training camp at village level, information on medicinal uses of plants should be given in school and Gram Panchayat through charts and posters, need to arrange exhibition showing importance of plants for animal health at village level and need to arrange visits of the botanical garden to create awareness among animal keepers about the medicinal uses of plants for animal health treatments.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF BIOFERTILIZERS AND NITROGEN ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF CABBAGE (Brassica Oleracea var. capitata L.) CV. 'GOLDEN ACRE' UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT AGROCLIMATIC CONDITIONS(AAU, Anand, 2005) SOLANKI, RAKESHKUMAR DASHRATHBHAI; PATEL, H. C.The present investigation entitled "Effect of biofertilizers and nitrogen on growth, yield and quality of cabbage {Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) cv. 'Golden Acre' under middle Gujarat agro-climatic conditions" was conducted during the year 2004-05 at the Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. A field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with ten treatment combinations and three replications consisting of different levels of nitrogen along with Azospirillum, Azotobacter and Azospirillum + Azotobacter. The recommended dose of N (200 kg ha-1) was taken as control. The results revealed that treatment Tg (175 kg N ha-1+ Azospirillum +Azotobacter) gave significantly the highest plant height (32.07 cm) and fresh weight of plant (1608.00 g), which was followed by treatment T, (Recommended dose of nitrogen i.e. 200kg/ha (control)). Treatment T8 (175 kg N ha-1+ Azospirillum + Azotobacter) also gave the highest number of leaves per plant (19.95) and plant spread (2260.20 cm2) and they were at par with the treatments T1 (Recommended dose of nitrogen i.e. 200 kg/ha (control)), T2 (175 kg N ha-1 + Azospirillum) T5 (175 kg N ha-1 + Azotobcter) and treatment T9 (150 kg N ha-1 Azospirillum +Azotobacter). However, dry weight of plant was found to be non-significant. Treatment T8 (175 kg N ha-1+ Azospirillum +Azotobacter) recorded the highest average weight of cabbage head (1321.88 g), diameter of cabbage head (15.50 cm), volume of cabbage head (1293.65 cm3), yield per net plot (22.29 kg), yield per hectare (364.10 q) and minimum days to 50% head formation (43.33), and it was at par with treatment T1 (Recommended dose of nitrogen i.e. 200 kg/ha (control)). In quality aspects, head compactness (86.06 %) was significantly influenced by Treatment T8 (175 kg N ha-1+ Azospirillum +Azotobacter) but it was at par with treatment T1 (Recommended dose of nitrogen i.e. 200 kg/ha (control)). However, moisture percent in cabbage head was found to be non-significant. Looking to the economics of various treatments, it is revealed that treatment T8 (175 kg N ha-1+ Azospirillum +Azotobacter) recorded the highest net realization (Rs.62, 195 ha-1) as well as highest cost benefit ratio (1:3.15) and it was followed by treatment T1 (Recommended dose of nitrogen i.e. 200 kg/ha (control)) i.e.1: 2.90. In nutshell, it can be concluded from the present study that the treatment T8 (175 kg N ha-1+ Azospirillum +Azotobacter) recorded the highest values in growth, yield and quality attributes. Though, treatment T8 (175 kg N ha-1+ Azospirillum +Azotobacter) recorded higher values in all the characters, which was at par with T1 (Recommended dose of nitrogen i.e. 200 kg/ha (control)). Thus, it would be appropriate to use treatment T8 (175 kg N ha-1+ Azospirillum +Azotobacter) for potential yield and better quality of cabbage cv. 'Golden acre' as it reduces the use of nitrogen 25 per cent by using biofertilizers without adversely affecting on growth, yield and quality parameters as well as economic return.