Loading...
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.
Browse
717 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access Effect of foliar application of plant growth regulators and micronutrients on growth, yield and quality of acid lime cv. Kagzi (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle)(AAU, Anand, 2012) MADHUKAR, JAGTAP VAIBHAV; Patel, H. C.The present investigation on "Effect of foliar application of plant growth regulators and micronutrients on growth, yield and quality of acid lime cv. Kagzi (Citrus aurantifoUa Swingle)" was carried out during spring season of the year 2011 at Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. The results revealed that treatment ZnS04 0.5 % + FeS04 0.5 % produced significantly the maximum tree height (3.45, 3.73 and 3.98 m at 4, 6 and 8 month after first spray). East West canopy spread (3.44, 3.76 and 4.04 m at 4, 6 and 8 month after first spray), South North canopy spread (3.40, 3.70 and 3.97 m at 4, 6 and 8 month after first spray). Treatment GA3 50 mg/1 took significantly minimum number of days for fruit set after first spray (23.67 days) while significantly minimum number of days for fruit maturity after first spray (135.67 days) were recorded with NAA 200 mg/1. Simultaneously, GAs 50 mg/1 also showed significant increased in tree height, East West canopy spread, South North canopy spread as well as also minimized number of days for fruit set. Yield attributing characters like fruit volume (47.90 cc), fruit diameter (4.54 cm), fruit weight (47.40 g) and fruit yield per tree (46.38 kg) significantly increased under treatment GA3 50 mg/1. In case of number of fruits per tree treatment NAA 200 mg/1 significantly increased the number of fruits per tree (1020.33) and it was statistically at par with treatments 2,4-D 20 mg/1, ZnS04 0.5 % + FeS04 0.5 %, NAA 100 mg/1, GA3 50 mg/1, ZnS04 0.5 % and FeSO4 0.5%. Quality attribiiting characters like total soluble solid (9.58 Brix.) and ascorbic acid content (30.41 mg/lOOg pulp) were significantly increased while number of seeds per fruit (6.13) and acidity (7.05 %) were significantly decreased under treatment GA3 50 mg/1. However, in case of total soluble solid and number of seeds per fruit, it was statistically at par with treatments GAs 50 mg/1, NAA 200 mg/1 and 2, 4-D 20 mg/1, ascorbic acid content was at par with treatment ZnS04 0.5 % + FeS04 0.5 %, NAA 200 mg/1, ZnS04 0.5 %, FeS04 0.5 %, 2, 4-D 20 mg/1 and GA3 25 mg/1 and acidity % was statistically at par with treatment NAA 200 mg/1, ZnS04 0.5 % + FeS04 0.5 %, 2, 4-D 20 mg/1, ZnS04 0.5 % and FeS04 0.5%. From economical point of view, the maximum net realization of ? 89,664 ha with BCR of 1:2.41 was obtained in treatment NAA 200 mg/1 due to increased in fruit retention of plant followed by treatment GA3 50 mg/1 with net realization of ? 87,379 ha and BCR of 1:2.30 due to increased in fruit weight and size. It can be concluded that for securing higher fruit yield (46.00 kg), net return (Rs 89,664) and cost benefit ratio (1:2.41) with quality fruits the treatment NAA 200 mg/1 perform best and next best treatment was found GA3 50 mg/1.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of time of nitrogen application and weed management practices on weeds, yield attributes and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Middle Gujarat Conditions(AAU, Anand, 2013) Padheriya, DHAVAL R.; SADHU, A. C.A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of the year 2011-12 at the College Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat). The treatments comprised combination of time of nitrogen application (T1 - 1/2 as basal + 1/2 at CRI, T2- 1/2 as basal + 1/4 at CRI + 1/4 at FND and T3 - 1/3 as basal + 1/3 at CRI + 1/3 at FND) and weed management practices [ W1- Pendimethalin @ 1000 g/ha (PE) , W2 - Metsulfuron methyl @ 4g/ha (PoE at 25-30 DAS), W3 - Pendimethalin @ 1000 g/ha (PE) fb Metsulfuron methyl @ 4g/ha (PoE at 25-30 DAS), W4 - Hand weedings at 20 and 40 DAS and W5 - Weedy check ]. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (Factorial) with fifteen treatment combinations replicated four times. Effect of time of nitrogen application and weed management practices on plant population was found non-significant. Higher plant height at 30 DAS and the highest plant height at harvest was recorded under treatment T3 (1/3 as basal + 1/3 at CRI + 1/3 at FND) i.e. 44.57 and 77.32 cm, respectively, whereas significantly lower plant height at 30 DAS and at harvest was recorded in treatment T1 (1/2 as basal + 1/2 at CRI) i.e. 40.81 and 72.40 cm, respectively but it was at par with treatment T2. The maximum number of effective tillers per metre row length and length of ear were observed in the treatment T3 (Va as basal + 1/3 at CRI + 1/3 at FND) i.e. 64.67 and 16.23 cm, respectively. The minimum number of effective tillers per metre row length and length of ear were recorded in treatment T1 (1/2 as basal + 1/2 at CRI) i.e. 58.71 and 13.39 cm, respectively. The test weight was recorded significantly higher (48.99 g) in treatment T3 (1/3 as basal + 1/3 at CRI + 1/3 at FND), whereas the lowest test weight was recorded in treatment T1 ( 1/2 as basal + 1/2 at CRI) (41.69 g). Significantly the highest grain weight per plant i.e. 13.03 g/plant was recorded in treatment T3 (1/3 as basal + 1/3 at CRI + 1/3 at FND), While the lowest grain weight per plant was recorded in treatment T1 (1/2 as basal + 1/2 at CRI) i.e. 9.57 g. The grain and straw yields were recorded significantly the highest in treatment T3 (1/3 as basal + 1/3 at CRI + 1/3 at FND) i.e. 4017 and 6506 kg/ha, respectively, while the lowest grain and straw yields were recorded in treatment T1 (1/2 as basal + 1/2 at CRI) i.e. 3483 and 4962 kg/ha, respectively.ThesisItem Open Access PERSISTENCE OF PROFENOPHOS AND TRIAZOPHOS IN SANDY LOAM SOIL UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS AND THEIR DISSIPATION IN/ON BRINJAL AND TOMATO FRUITS UNDER SUPERVISED FIELD TRIALS(AAU, Anand, 2014) RANA, GAJENDRA KUMAR; Shah, P. G.Vegetables are important ingredient of our food having a high nutritional value. Brinjal and tomato are important solanaceous crops of India, cultivated throughout the country and constitute an important part of human diet. The vegetable yield in India is considerably low because of several factors, the most important being the damage caused by various insect pests like fruit and shoot borer, jassids, aphids, leafminer etc. In order to protect the crops from such pest damage, former predominantly rely on chemical pesticides. Use of organochlorine (OC) group of pesticides is banned in agriculture primarily due to their persistence in the environment. However, use of organophosphate group of pesticides is on rise mainly due to their easy availability and quick degradation in the ecosystem. Of these, profenophos and triazophos have been found quite effective for the management of these pests. Triazophos (O, O-diethyl-O-1-phenyl-1H-1, 2, 4-triazol-3-yl phosphorothioate) is a contact and stomach insecticide. The chemical primarily controls sucking and chewing insects in many crops. In spite of being non-systemic, triazophos can penetrate deeply in the plant tissues due to its translaminar properties and can effectively control leaf miner. Triazophos is broken down in the environment and does not bioaccumulate, unlike certain organochlorine insecticides. The insecticide is dangerous to bees and harmful to fish, livestock, birds and other animals. Profenophos [O-4-bromo-2-chlorophenyl O-ethyl S-propyl phosphorohioate) is an insecticide and acaricide belonging to organophosphate group. It is an insecticide used on a wide variety of crops to control pests mainly Lepidoptera and mites. It was developed for those insect strains which developed resistant to other organophosphorus pesticides. It is selectively more toxic to insects as compared to mammals. For better production and high value, farmers are using a large amount of insecticides during the entire period of cultivation, even at fruiting stage. Quite often farmers also ignore the recommended dose and suggested waiting period between the harvest and last spray. Thus, injudicious use of pesticides could pose serious risk to the consumers besides contaminating the fields. Monitoring studies carried out worldwide have reported the residues of pesticide in fruits and vegetables. Though there is no label claim for profenophos and triazophos on tomato and brinjal in India, monitoring of pesticides residues in fruits and vegetable has revealed presence of these insecticide in/on brinjal and tomato fruits. The dissipation of these insecticides varies with their physical and chemical, dosage applied, number of applications, interval between applications, crop variety, agro climatic conditions, etc. Hence, a study entitled " Persistence of profenophos and triazophos in sandy loam soil under laboratory conditions and their dissipation in/on brinjal and tomato fruits under supervised field trials" was proposed to know the dissipation and persistence of profenophos and triazophos under laboratory as well as field conditions with the following objectives. 1. To study the recovery of profenophos and triazophos in sandy loam soil 2. To study the persistence of profenophos and triazophos in sandy loam soil under laboratory conditions 3. To study the recovery of profenophos and triazophos in tomato and brinjal fruits 4. To study the dissipation of profenophos and triazophos in tomato and brinjal fruits under field conditions 5. To study the effect of washing and cooking in the reduction of profenophos and triazophos residues in brinjal and tomato fruits A field experiment was conducted during Rahi 2012-13 at Main Vegetable Research Station, AAU, Anand (Gujarat), to study the dissipation of profenophos and triazophos in both brinjal and tomato fruits. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications along with a control plot. In brinjal and tomato, two sprays of profenophos and triazophos insecticides were applied during fruiting stage @ 500 g a.i. ha-1 at an interval of 10 days. An untreated control was maintained for comparison. Immediately after the last application (i.e. one hour after spray) fruit samples were drawn for 0 day. The subsequent sampling was carried out 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 10th day after second application. A laboratory trial was also carried out to determine the persistence of profenophos and triazophos in sandy loam soils. A representative 20 g (dry weight equivalent) sample of sandy loam soil in 50 mL polypropylene tube was taken and adjusted to 20 % moisture content by addition of distilled water. Solutions of the insecticides (profenophos and triazophos) in acetone were applied drop wise to the surface of the soil in each tube to obtained concentration 10 mg a.i. kg-1 The samples were drawn at 0 (1hr after application), 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after application. Residues of profenophos and triazophos were estimated by a validated GC-PFPD method.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of benzyladenine on biochemical changes in Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedlings during induced drought stress(AAU, Anand, 2013) AHIRE, SHAILESH VAMANRAO; TALATI, J. G.Investigations were carried out at Department of Biochemistry, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand to study the biochemical and physiological characterizations of two maize genotypes (resistant and susceptible) procured from Main Maize Research Station, Godhra and benzyladanine treatment given to seed followed by artificial drought at 15 days after sowing. Various biochemical and physiological parameters, isozymes study, protein analysis through SDS-PAGE and SSR analysis were analyzed. Biochemical analysis was carried out for moisture, total carbohydrates, total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, true protein, total chlorophylls, proline and free amino acids and various isozymes viz., peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase, protein characterization through electrophoresis and SSR. Total chlorophylls, true protein and moisture content were decreased while total carbohydrates, total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, proline and free amino acids content were increased in both the genotypes due to drought stress. Application of BA (25 ppm) could be increased in all biochemical and physiological parameters for improved biochemical content in both genotypes. The moisture content was found minimum in resistant over susceptible genotype, however rest of the parameters were found higher in resistant as compared to susceptible genotype' in all the treatments. Due to drought stress length and weight of root, shoot were decreased in maize seedhngs of both the genotypes. However, resistant genotype showed better performance in higher root-shoot length and weight than susceptible genotype under drought stress conditions, through treatment benzyladenine was higher root-shoot length and weight in resistant and susceptible genotypes, which might be useful for biochemical study of resistant and susceptible genotypes under drought stress. SDS PAGE maize protein revealed the presence of maximum number of bands in susceptible genotype over resistant. Presence of bands with Rm value 0.26, 0.35, 0.46 and 0.48 only in 25 ppm BA soaked seed treatment, while 0.28 and 0.49 in 25 ppm BA + 10 % PEG treatment in resistant genotype. However, presence of bands with Rm value 0.53 in 10 % PEG treatment, while 0.58 and 0.63 observed in 25 ppm BA + 20 % PEG treatment in susceptible genotype. Based on banding pattern, the result suggested that protein banding profiling could be observed in resistant and susceptible genotypes. Different enzyme activities viz.,(peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) and their isozyme differs in both the genotypes at different treatments and showed significant differences and provide useful information of resistant and susceptible changes in maize seedlings and for further isozymes studies at 15 DAS, benzyladenine showed better performance in POX and PPO activity in maize seedlings. Isozyme electrophoresis of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were found to be differentiation for resistant and susceptible maize seedlings. For SSR analysis, total 4 primers were screened. Genetic variation was observed by resistant (CM-500) and susceptible (GYC-9327) genotype. Therefore specific gene presence or absence observed in resistant and susceptible maize seedlings, while resistant and susceptible genotypes found polymorphic allele. On the basis of present studies it could be concluded that, biochemical and physiological parameters, isozyme activities and electrophoresis SDS-PAGE and SSR offer potentially simple, rapid and reliable techniques for biochemical study in resistant and susceptible maize seedlings and chemical treatment of benzyladenine was superior observed in maize seedlings.ThesisItem Open Access GENERATION MEAN ANALYSIS IN INDIAN MUSTARD [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss](AAU, Anand, 2013) PRAJAPATI, SOHILKUMAR KANUBHAI; Patel, J. N.Mustard is one of the most important edible oilseed crops of world and India as well. The present investigation was carried out at Agronomy farm, Bansilal Amrutlal College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during the year 2012-13 to estimate gene effect in respect to detail account of its parameters, heterosis and inbreeding depression, heritability and expected genetic advance for seed yield and its components. The experimental material consisted of four families (Laxmi x IC 399797, GM 1 x Vardan, IC 491446 x GM 2 and PM 67 x Varuna) developed from eight parents, each family comprised of six generations as P1, P2, F1, F2, B1 and B2. Compact Family Block Design was used with three replications for evaluation of experimental material. The analysis of variance for families comparison revealed significant variation among families for most of the characters except number of secondary branches per plant. Whereas, among generations within family comparison, analysis of variance revealed significant differences among different generations for most of the characters except days to maturity (family VI), number of secondary branches per plant (family I, IV), number of siliqua per plant (family IV), average siliqua length (family III), number of seeds per siliqua (family III), seed yield per plant (family IV) and oil content (family I and III). Thus, sufficient variability was observed within material study. The scaling tests indicated the presence of epistasis for all the characters in different crosses except plant height and days to maturity in crosses I and II; number of primary branches per plant in crosses I, II and IV; length of main branch in cross IV; average siliquae length and number of seeds per siliquae in crosses I and II. The estimates of gene effect with family I (Laxmi x IC 399797) revealed importance of additive (d) gene effect for days to 50% flowering, number of primary branches and number of seeds per siliqua; dominance (h) gene effect was found to be important for plant height, days to maturity and average siliqua length; additive (d) and real epistasis (j) were found to be important for oil content; greater importance of dominance (d) and dominance epistasis (1) components of gene effects was observed for tests weight, seed yield per plant and protein content. With family II (GM 1 x Vardan) the estimates of gene effect revealed importance of different gene effect with different characters as; only additive gene effect for number of primary branches per plant; dominance (h) gene effect for plant height, average siliqua length, number of siliquae per plant and number of seeds per siliqua; greater magnitude of dominance (h) gene effect followed by dominance epistasis (1) for number of secondary branches per plant, seed yield per plant, test weight and oil content; and importance of additive (d) and real epistasis (j) for days to maturity and length of main branches. In family III (IC 491446 x GM 2), importance of only additive gene effect was observed for days to maturity and oil content; greater magnitude of dominance (d) and pseudo dominance (1) gene effects noticed for days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of secondary branches per plant, test weight; additive (d) and real epistasis (j) gene effects were found to be important for number of primary branches per plant, number of siliquae per plant and seed yield per plant; while only dominance (h) gene effect preponded for length of main branch and average length of siliquae. Whereas, with family IV (PM 67 x Varuna) ,the estimates of gene effect suggested importance of only additive (d) gene effect for length of main branch, number of siliqua par plant and seed yield per plant; only dominance (h) gene effect was found to be important for number of primary branches per plant; additive (d) and real epistasis (j) was found significant for days to flowering; greater importance of dominance (d) as well as dominance epistasis (1) gene effects were observed for days to maturity, average length of siliquae, number of seeds per siliquae and test weight. For seed yield and other developmental characters, cross GM 1 x Vardan depicted significant and positive estimates of RH as well as HB, and it had significant and positive estimates of RH as well as HB for plant height, number of siliqua per plant and average siliqua length. All four crosses depicted significant and negative estimates of heterobeltiosis for number of seeds per siliqua which is an important yield contributing character, thereby restricting utilization of their heterotic effects for increasing seed yield. Crosses Laxmi x IC 399797 and GM 1 x Vardan depicted significant and positive estimates of heterobeltiosis and relative heterosis for average siliqua length which is desired to impart bold seed size; though both the crosses, Laxmi x IC 399797 and PM 67 x Varuna exhibited significant and negative RH for number of seeds per siliqua, length of main branch, days to 50% flowering and test weight; the cross PM 67 x Varuna had significant estimates of inbreeding depression in desired direction for number of siliqua per plant and average siliqua length. High heritability with high genetic advance revealed importance of additive gene effect for seed yield per plant in all four families. However, for almost all the yield contributing characters importance of both additive and non-additive components of gene effect was reflected through high to moderate estimates of heritability coupled with moderate to low estimates of expected genetic advance with all crosses. In general, involvement of both additive and non-additive gene effects with moderate to high heritability estimates coupled with moderate/high expected genetic advance as per cent of mean for most of the characters suggested that cyclic method of breeding such as reciprocal recurrent selection would be most effective to stabilize additive genes, to improve population mean and also to generate as well as to retain variability over selection cycles.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of sulphur and zinc on growth, yield and quality of summer greengram (Vigna radiata L.) under middle Gujarat condition(AAU, Anand, 2014) ITALIYA, JIGNESH HARIBHAI; JADAV, N. J.The field experiment was carried out on loamy sand soil of Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat during summer season of 2013 to study the "Effect of sulphur and zinc on growth, yield and quality of summer greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilezeck) under middle Gujarat conditions". The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design, comprising of four levels of Sulphur (S) (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg S ha-1), and three levels of Zinc (Zn) (0, 10 and 20 kg Zn ha-1) in three replications. The experiment was conducted in loamy sand soil having alkaline in reaction (pHz.s 7.9) and normal with respect to salt contents [EC2.5 0.20 dSm-1). The soil was low in available nitrogen (N) (184.7 kg ha-1] and S (7.27 mg kg-1), medium in available phosphorus (P) (41.58 kg ha-1) and Zn (0.61 mg kg-1) and high in available potash (K) (310 kg ha-1). The greengram variety Meha was sown on 6th March, 2013 at 45 cm raw distance using grain rate of 15 kg ha^ and recommended fertilizers of 20-40-00:: N-P-K kg ha-1. The results revealed that application of S produced significant effect on growth and yield attributes viz., plant height, No. of branches per plant, No. of pods per plant, No. of grain per pod, test weight, No. of root nodules and its dry weight per plant of greengram. Significantly the higher values of these attributes were recorded under 30 kg S ha-i but they were at par with 20 kg S ha-1. Application of S @ 30 kg S ha-i registered significantly higher grain (1039 kg ha-1) and straw (1967 kg ha-1) yield as compared to control and 10 kg S ha-1, but statistically at par with that of 20 kg S ha-1. Application of 30 kg S ha-1 resulted generally in higher N, P, K, S and Zn concentration and uptake by grain and straw as well as protein content in grain, but it was at par with 20 kg S ha-1. The available P2O5, S and Zn in soil after harvest of crop was higher due to 30 kg S ha-i as compared to control and 10 kg S ha-1, but, it was at par with 20 kg S ha-1. Application of Zn produced significant effect on plant height. No. of branches per plant. No. of pods per plant. No. of grain per plant and No. of root nodules per plant. The values for these parameters noticed due to application of 2 kg Zn ha-1 was significantly higher than control and 1 kg Zn ha-1. Significantly the highest grain (1008 kg ha-1) and straw (1883 kg ha-1) yield was registered under the application of 2 kg Zn ha-1. Similarly the S and Zn content in grain and N, P, K, S and Zn content in straw were noticed higher under the application of Zn @ 2 kg Zn ha-1. In general, significantly the highest uptake of N, P, K, S and Zn by grain and straw as well as protein content in grain were registered under application of Zn @ 2 kg ha-i than rest of the levels of Zn. Application of 2 kg Zn ha-1 was found significantly superior to control and 1 kg Zn ha-i in case of available Zn in soil after harvest of crop. The S X Zn interaction was found significant on grain and straw yield of greengram. Treatment combination of 30 kg S and 2 kg Zn ha-1 (S3Zn2) recorded significantly the highest grain (1233 kg ha-1) and straw (2123 kg ha-1) yield. The similar treatment combination also recorded significantly higher S and Zn content in grain and straw, N uptake by straw, P uptake by grain and straw, K uptake by grain, S uptake by grain and straw and Zn uptake by grain. The increasing levels of both the factors generally recorded higher protein content indicating the synergistic effect of one on another. In the light of the results obtained from the present investigation, it is concluded that the application of 20 kg S ha-1 through gypsum (16.5% S) and 2 kg Zn ha-1 in form of zinc chloride (48% Zn) on loamy sand soil deficient in available S and medium in Zn increased the yield, protein and nutrient content in greengram crop besides sustaining soil fertility status.ThesisItem Open Access TO STUDY THE DEGRADATION AND DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF OXYFLUORFEN IN SANDY, SANDY LOAM AND CLAYEY SOILS(AAU, Anand, 2014) KUMBHAR, MUKESHKUMAR BHIKHABHAI; RAJ, M. F.Oxyfluorfen is formulated for agricultural use as an cmulsifiablc liquid concentrate and as a granular product, although it is most frequently used in a liquid formulation for food crops and as a granular formulation for ornamental nursery crops for the weed control. Oxyfluorfen is used for the control of annual grasses and broad-leaved weeds in tropical and sub-tropical crops, by pre - or postemergence application in m.aize, rice, gram, groundnut, soybean, cotton and onion crops. It is selective contact herbicide and absorbed more readily by the foliage than by the roots, with very little translocation. Its application as liquid or dry formulations on the crop or soil may contaminate soil or leave residues on crop produce. Oxyfluorfen is moderately persistent in most soil environments, with a representative field half-life of about 30 to 40 days. Oxyfluorfen is not subjected to microbial degradation or hydrolysis. The main mechanism of degradation in soils may be photodegradation and evaporation/co-distillation in moist soils. In laboratory studies, its soil half-life was 6 months, indicating very low rates of microbial degradation. Looking to the above facts, a laboratory study entitled "To study the degradation and downward movement of oxyfluorfen in sandy, sandy loam and clayey soils" was conducted at Pesticide Residue Laboratory, All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues, Centre for Organic Farming, ICAR Unit-9, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat (India) with the following objectives: 1. To validate the pesticide residue method of oxyfluorfen for sandy, sandy loam and clayey soils. 2. To study the depth-wise distribution of oxyfluorfen in soil column. 3. To study the degradation of oxyfluorfen in sandy, sandy loam and clayey soils under laboratory conditions. 4. To study the level of oxyfluorfen in column leachates. In order to study the persistence and degradation of oxyfluorfen from three different types of soils viz., sandy, sandy loam and clayey soil, sandy soil was collected from Agronomy Farm of Sardar Krushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Dantiwada. sandy loam soil was collected from Bidi Tobacco Research Station Farm of Anand Agricultural University, Anand and clayey soil from Organic Farm of Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. Prior to study, these soils were subjected to physico-chemical analysis with known history of pesticide applications. For depthwise distribution of oxyfluorfen study, a 36 cm long PVC column with an internal diameter (i.d.) of 6 cm. was used by marking into sections each of 6 cm in length. The bottom ring was tied up with muslin cloth with thread to avoid contamination of leachate with soil particles. The column was filled with soil from bottom to 30 cm length with tapering. Before applying the oxyfluorfen, soil column was wetted to their apparent water holding capacity by applying 100 mL aqueous solution of 0.01 M CaCl2 to the top of column at an interval of 24 h. After this initial equilibration 30 mg/column of oxyfluorfen was applied to the top of column. Polythene sheet was tied up on each column in order to prevent volatization losses. Initially, columns were irrigated with 100 ml of aqueous solution of 0.01 M CaCb up to 10 days and at later stage 50 ml of above mentioned solution was applied to maintain the field capacity until the termination of experiment. Leachates were collected and analyzed. The experiment was conducted with three repetitions along with a control column. Prior to analysis of oxyfluorfen from soil, the method was validated in the laboratory. The leachates were collected on 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after application were filtered, extracted and analyzed by GLC for residues of oxyfluorfen. The entire experiment was conducted at room temperature. After end of experiment, each column was cut into 5 segments each of 6 cm and herbicide residues in soil from different depths i. e. 0-6 cm (D1), 6-12 cm (D2), 12-18 cm (D3), 18-24 cm (D4), 24-30 cm (D5) was analyzed. The soil inside the columns was dried separately under shade and 10 g of soil was used for quantitative analysis of oxyfluorfen residues by GLC. The oxyfluorfen residues in leachates persisted up to 60 days except 0 day in sandy soil. In sandy soil the residues showed increasing trend up to 7th day that is 13.759 ng g i and decreased thereafter till the 60th day. In case of sandy loam and clayey soils the residues were below determination limit until the termination of experiment. The downward movement of oxyfluorfen in the column under laboratory conditions revealed that after 60 days of application, the residues were mainly confined to the top three layers i.e. 0-6 cm, 6-12 cm and 12-18 cm in sandy soil, while in case of the sandy loam and clayey soil the residue were below determination limit even to the top layer of column. This confirms the low risk of sub-soil contamination in sandy loam and clayey soils compared to the sandy soil.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF SILICON ON YIELD AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MAIZE (Zea Mays L.)(AAU, Anand, 2013) PRAJAPATI, DHARMESHKUMAR T.; PATEL, K. C.A pot house study was conducted on maize in net house of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, B. A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand. Bulk sample was collected from Agronomy farm and six kilograms of soil was taken in each polythene lined earthen pot and treated with four levels of organics viz., FYM @ 2.5 and 5.0 t ha-1 and enriched FYM with paddy straw @ 2.5 and 5.0 t ha-1 and four levels of calcium silicate i.e. 0.0, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 t ha-1. The recommended dose of N and P was applied in the form of urea and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), respectively and mixed properly. The experiment was planned in a factorial completely randomized design with three repetitions. The shoot samples were analyzed for N, P, S, Ca, Mg and Si content. The uptake of elements was also computed using standard formula. The soil samples were analyzed for different parameters like soil pH, EC, organic carbon, available P, S and Si and exchangeable Ca and Mg content in soil at the harvest of maize. The FYM application at F5.0 level significantly increased green and dry shoot weight of maize over F2.5 level. Similarly application of enriched FYM with PS+FYM @ 5.0 t ha-1 also gave significantly higher yield than FYM 2.5 t ha-1. The improvement in green and dry shoot weight due to FYM5.0, PS+FYM2.5 as PS+FYM5.0 was to the tune of 3.6, 5.49 and 7.92 per cent over FYM2.5 level. The green and dry shoot weight of maize was also significantly increased with increasing levels of calcium silicate (source of silicon) up to CSi0.30 and latter two levels (CSi0.30 and CSi0.40) were at par. The increase in dry shoot weight was 4.50, 8.70 and 11.11 per cent due to respective level over control (CSi0.0). The FYM and PS + FYM application @ 5.0 t ha-1 significantly improved N content of maize shoot over respective lower level. The highest value of N (1.973 %) was found at PS+FYM5.0 level. Similarly application of enriched FYM with PS @ 5.0 t ha-1 also significantly increased P and S content over PS+FYM2.5 level. The highest P (0.406 %) and S (0.407 %) content of maize shoot was recorded at FYM5.0 and PS + FYM5.0 level, respectively. The P and S content was increased from 0.344 to 0.443 % and 0.348 to 0.401 % due to different levels of calcium silicate. The highest P and S content was 0.443 % and 0.401 % recorded at CSi0.40 level. The interaction between all the treatment combinations of FYM, PS + FYM and CSi had significantly increased P content of maize shoot over control (FYM2.5 x CSi0.0) except FYM2.5 x CSi2.0 combination. The highest content of P (0.47 %) was found at FYM5.0xCSio.40 level.ThesisItem Open Access AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF CAULIFLOWER (BRASSICA OLERACEAE VAR. BOTRYTIS.) IN MIDDLE GUJARAT(AAU, Anand, 2013) PATEL, PALAKBEN HASMUKHBHAI; Pundir, R. S.The present investigation was undertaken with a view to study the cost and return, resource use efficiency, marketing cost and price spread and constraints in production and marketing of cauliflower in middle Gujarat. A multistage random sampling design was used for selecting the sample. The study covered 4 talukas, 12 villages and 120 cauliflower growers (27 marginal, 38 small, 29 medium and 26 large) from Anand and Kheda districts. For studying price spread in marketing, 5 functionaries from each category of cauliflower marketing were randomly selected from Anand and Kheda markets. The major analytical tools employed for the study were tabular analysis, cost concept, production function analysis (using SPSS software) and price spread. Results of the study indicated that average cost of cultivation (Cost C2) of cauliflower per hectare was ₹73232.95. It was highest ₹114511.4 on medium farms and lowest ₹72622.81 on large farms. On an average. Cost A (paid out cost) formed 72.46 per cent, while Cost B accounted for 86.07 per cent of total cost. Out of total cost (Cost C2), human labour cost was ranked first with 15.81 per cent of the total cost followed by fertilizer cost (12.51 per cent), manure and cakes (11.29 per cent), sapling charges (9.86 per cent), rental value of own land (9.27 per cent), managerial costs (9.09 per cent), tractor charges (8.45 per cent), irrigation charges (7.93 per cent), plant protection chemical (6.57 per cent), interest on fixed capital (4.33 per cent) and bullock labour (2.71 per cent) on overall basis. Thus, these major items of expenditure contributed 97.82 per cent of total cost. The average yield of cauliflower per hectare was 333.13 quintals on sample farms which realized ₹ 118994.93, ₹ 66361.70, ₹ 56477.47 and ₹ 56250.72 as gross income, farm business income, family labour income and farm investment income, respectively. The net profit per hectare over Cost C2 was ₹46366.49. It varied from ₹14939.69 on marginal farms to ₹ 54405.55 on large farms. The overall input-output ratio on Cost C2 was about 1:1.64 and it was highest on large farms (1:1.75) and lowest on marginal farms (1:1.20). Looking to the cost, return and input-output ratio, it is concluded that cauliflower cultivation was profitable vegetables crop in Middle Gujarat condition. In order to find out the efficiency of resources used by cauliflower growers, Cobb Douglas production function was employed; taking gross income as dependent variable. This analysis indicates that only cost of bullock labour, plant protection chemical and irrigation were found highly significant influence on the yield. The value of co-efficient of multiple determinations (R2) was 0.96 which showed that 96 per cent variation in the yield was accounted for the independent variables included in the function. The sum of regression co-efficient was (1.071) indicating increasing return to scale therefore more rational use of the inputs leading to get higher returns. As cauliflower is a market oriented crop, on an average about 93 per cent of production was marketed, while negligible portion was utilized for other purposes. The producer to wholesaler-cum-commission agent to retailer to consumer was the major marketing channel as more that 50 per cent of cauliflower moved through this route. The total cost in marketing of cauliflower per quintal was ₹ 337.85 which was 43.19 per cent of the consumers' rupee. Amongst it the highest marketing cost was observed in retailers which accounted for as (₹129.25) followed by wholesaler-cumcommission agent (₹70.63) and growers (₹19.35) per quintal. Results also indicated that commission was the major marketing cost possessed by wholesaler-cum-commission agent while retailer possessed damage cost. The margins in cauliflower marketing amounted to ₹ 224.99 per quintal which was 28.76 per cent of consumers' rupee. The producer's share in consumer's rupee was 43.19 per cent. The marketing efficiency was lower than unity (0.77). The major production, marketing and economic constraints faced by the cauliflower growers were non availability of fertilizer and labour in time, lack of irrigation facility, fluctuation in market price and long distance market. Further, they also faced the problems of high cost of fertilizers, planting material and pesticides.