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Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour established on 5th August, 2010 is a basic and strategic institution supporting more than 500 researchers and educationist towards imparting education at graduate and post graduate level, conducting basic, strategic, applied and adaptive research activities, ensuring effective transfer of technologies and capacity building of farmers and extension personnel. The university has 6 colleges (5 Agriculture and 1 Horticulture) and 12 research stations spread in 3 agro-ecological zones of Bihar. The University also has 21 KVKS established in 20 of the 25 districts falling under the jurisdiction of the University. The degree programmes of the university and its colleges have been accredited by ICAR in 2015-16. The university is also an ISO 9000:2008 certified organisation with International standard operating protocols for maintaining highest standards in teaching, research, extension and training.VisionThe Bihar Agricultural University was established with the objective of improving quality of life of people of state especially famers constituting more than two third of the population. Having set ultimate goal of benefitting society at large, the university intends to achieve it by imparting word-class need based agricultural education, research, extension and public service.
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ThesisItem Open Access Effect of integrated weed management on direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2019-02-02) Dubey, Santosh Kumar; Kumar, ArunDepartment of Agronomy, BAU, SabourA field experiment was carried out during Kharif season 2016 and 2017 at Bihar Agricultural College farm, Sabour under the Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur to assess the effect of integrated weed management on direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.). The soil texture of the experimental site was silt loam and was low in available nitrogen (188.61 kg ha-1), and medium in available phosphorus (21.65 kg ha-1) and potassium (194.88 kg ha-1). The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with fourteen weed management treatments involving various herbicides (Pendimethalin 1000 g a.i. ha-1 (PE), Pendimethalin 500 g a.i ha-1 (PE) fb 1 HW 40 DAS, Almix 4 g ha-1 (PoE), Almix 2 g a.i ha-1 (PoE) fb 1 HW 40 DAS, Ethoxysulfuron 15 g a.i ha-1 (PoE), Ethoxysulfuron 7.5 g a.i ha-1 (PoE) fb 1 HW 40 DAS, Pyrazosulfuran 25 g a.i ha-1 (PE), Pyrazosulfuran 12.5 g a.i ha-1 (PE) fb 1 HW 40 DAS, Bispyribac-Na 30 g a.i ha-1 (PoE) , Bispyribac-Na 15 g a.i ha-1 fb 1 HW 40 DAS (PoE), Azimsulfuron 35 g a.i ha-1 (PoE), Azimsulfuron 17.5 g a.i ha-1 fb 1 HW 40 DAS (PoE), weedy and weed free with three replications. The crop was infested with divergent type of weed flora e.g. sedges, grassy and broad leaved weeds group. However, dominancy of Cyperus rotundus, Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crusgalli, Cynodon dactylon , Caesulia axillaries and Commellina benghalensis, Eclipta alba, Euphorbia hirta and Phyllanthus niruri were very less, so they were grouped as other weeds. Sedges and broad leaved weeds e.g. Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus iria and Cyperus difformis were controlled very effectively by the Ethoxysulfuron and Azimsulfuron as post-emergence and however, Sedges, Grassy weeds and Broad leaved weeds e.g. Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus iria and Cyperus difformis , Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crusgalli Caesulia axillaries were controlled very effectively by the Bispyribac-Na as post-emergence. Only Grassy weeds Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crusgalli were controlled very effectively by Pendimethalin as pre-emergence. At 30 days after sowing, Bispyribac-Na 30 g a.i. ha-1 (T9) and Azimsulfuron 35 g a.i. ha-1(T11) applied as post-emergence being at par, recorded significantly lower density (21.85 and 35.10 m-2) and dry weight (18.02 and 29.42 g m-2) of weeds over rest of the treatments. At 60 and 90 days after sowing, Bispyribac-Na 15 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T10) and Azimsulfuron 17.5 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T12) each applied as post-emergence with hand weeding at 40 days after sowing being at par, recorded significantly lower population (24.94, 29.72 and 18.91, 22.55 m-2) and dry weight (38.79, 46.24 and 29.12 , 34.72 g m-2) of weeds over the rest of the treatments. While, application of Pendimethalin 1000 g a.i. ha-1 (T1) and Pyrazosulfuron 25 g a.i. ha-1 (T7) recorded maximum weed population and dry weight which was at par with each other. The maximum weed control efficiency was recorded (88.14%) under Bispyribac-Na 15 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T10) and (85.82%) under Azimsulfuron 17.5 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T12). Among herbicides, minimum weed index (1.91%) was recorded under Bispyribac-Na 15 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T10) and (6.99%) under Azimsulfuron 17.5 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T12). Whereas, maximum weed index (40.79%) was recorded under Pendimethalin 1000 g a.i. ha-1(T1) and (34.37%) under Pyrazosulfuran 25 g a.i. ha-1 (T7). Among weed management practices, maximum growth attributes, yield attributes and N, P and K uptake by grain and straw were recorded under Bispyribac-Na 15 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T10) followed by Azimsulfuron 17.5 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T12) which was comparable to weed free, but was significantly superior over rest of the treatments. Application of Pendimethalin 1000 g a.i. ha-1(T1) followed by Pyrazosulfuran 25 g a.i. ha-1 (T7) was least effective and recorded minimum number of tillers, dry matter accumulation, number of panicles m-2, panicle length, number of grains panicle-1, grain and straw yield as compared to other treatments. However, all the herbicidal treatments were found significantly superior over weedy in respect of crop growth, yield attributes, grain and straw yield and N, P, K uptake by grain and straw. In weed management treatments, higher value of net return (Rs. 85728 and Rs. 79565) and benefit: cost ratio (Rs. 2.67 and Rs. 2.49) was obtained in Bispyribac-Na 15 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T10) and Azimsulfuron 17.5 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T12), respectively. While weedy (T14) gave the lowest net return (Rs. 28753).and benefit: cost ratio (Rs.0.99). On the basis of pooled data of the experiment during kharif 2016 and 2017, it may be concluded that post-emergence application of Bispyribac-Na 15 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T10) proved superior over rest of the treatments with respect to weed control efficiency, grain yield and economics of direct seeded rice followed by post-emergence application of Azimsulfuron 17.5 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T12). On the basis of conclusion, it may be recommended that post-emergence application of Bispyribac-Na 15 g a.i. ha-1 fb one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (T10) in direct seeded rice should be practiced for minimizing weed growth and maximizing economic, yield and net return.ThesisItem Open Access Study on long term effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on crop productivity and soil fertility in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)-Wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) cropping System(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2017-09-20) Sah, Akhiesh; Sharma, R. P.Rice(Oryza sativa L.)– wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) cropping system plays a significant role in food security, contributing 76% of total food grain production of India.About 33% of India’s rice and 42% of wheat is grown in this rotation.This system is the principal cropping system occupying 24 m ha of cultivated land in the Asian subtropics. In south Asian countries, this system is prevalent in 13.5 m ha in the Indo-Gangetic plain of which 10 m ha lies in India. However, application of imbalanced chemical fertilizers has led to decline of nutrient use efficiency making fertilizer consumption uneconomical and producing adverse effects on environment. Prolonged use of chemical fertilizer hampers the sustainability of crop production and soil fertility. Imbalance use of chemical fertilizer alone tends to decline yield over a period of years with given input. All these factors led to search for alternative sources of plant nutrients.In this circumstances, nutrient recycling in the soil-plant ecosystem through judicious and efficient use of fertilizers and organic manures may play a vital role towards sustainable productive agricultural enterprise. Thus, keeping in view the above consideration present study was formulated to find out the effectiveness of organic manure i.e. farm yard manure, wheat straw and green manuring with Sesbaniaaculeataand their integration with chemical fertilizers on growth and yield of rice, their residual effects on succeeding wheat crop and fertility status of soil. The experiment entitled “Study on long term effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on crop productivity and soil fertility in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)-Wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) cropping system” was conducted during kharifand rabi seasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16 on permanent plot (started in 1984) at Bihar Agricultural College Farm, Sabour.The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with four replications. Treatmentscomprised T1 : Control i.e.no application of any manure/fertilizer to both crops; T2 : 50% RDF to both crops; T3 : 50 % RDF to rice followed by 100% RDF to wheat; T4 : 75% RDF to both crops; T5 : 100% RDF to both crops; T6 : 50%N through FYM+50% RDF to rice followed by 100% RDF to wheat; T7 :25%N through FYM+75% RDF to ricefollowed by 75% RDF to wheat; T8 : 50%N through wheat straw+50% RDF to rice followed by 100% RDF to wheat; T9 : 25%N through wheat straw+75% RDF to rice followed by 75% RDF; T10 : 50%N through green manure(Sesbaniaaculeata)+50% RDF to rice followed by 100% RDF to wheat; T11 : 25%N through green manure(Sesbaniaaculeata)+75% RDF to rice followed by 75% RDF to wheat and T12: Farmers’ practice (N70P30K10) to rice followed by (N80P30K15) to wheat. The recommended dose of fertilizer for rice was 80 kg N+40 kg P2O5+20 kg K20 ha-1 while it was 120 kg N+40 kg P2O5+40 kg K20 ha-1for wheat.Rice variety ‘Sita’ was transplanted at spacing of 15 cm × 15cm using seed rate of 40 kg/hawhereas, wheat variety ‘PBW343’ was sown 20 cm apart using a seed rate of 100 kg/ha. The soil of the experimental plot at the inception of the experiment during 1984 was well drained, sandy loam in texture, neutral in reaction, low in organic carbon and nitrogen and medium in phosphorus and potassium. Results revealed that all the growth characters (plant height, number of tillers/m2, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity) and yield attributes (number of effective tillers/m2, number of filled grains per panicle/earhead, length of panicle/earhead, weight of panicle/earhead, 1000-grain weight) of both rice and wheat crops were highestunder the treatment T6(50%N through FYM+50% RDF to rice followed by 100% RDF to wheat). This treatment also gave the highest grainyield of rice (5562 kg/ha) and wheat (4377 kg/ha) as well as net returns (Rs.36,735/ha)and B:C ratio (1.02) in rice and Rs.49,951/haand 1.62 in wheat. The highest rice equivalent yield (12185 kg/ha) and net returns of Rs.86,686/ha was observed in treatment T6, which was at par with treatment T8(50%N through wheat straw+50% RDF to rice followed by 100% RDF to wheat) and T10 (50%N through green manure(Sesbaniaaculeata)+50% RDF to rice followed by 100% RDF to wheat) in terms of all parameters. Both the crops as well as system removed higher quantity of NPKS, when fertilized with 50% N through FYM+ 50% RDF through inorganic fertilizers in rice followed by 100% RDF in wheat (T6) but the effect was statistically at par with T8 and T10. So far the soil fertility is concerned, considerable improvement was observed. The maximum build-up of soil organic carbon, bulk density, soil aggregation, available NPKS, micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) and soil microbial count (Bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) as well as dehydrogenase activitieswere observed in the plots receiving 50% N through FYM+ 50% RDF through fertilizers in rice followed by 100% RDF in wheat. The 50% substitution of organic manures in rice established its superiority over 25% substitution. Even substitution of 25% N by FYM in rice+75% RDF through inorganic fertilizers followed by only 75% RDF in wheat performed better than 100% chemical fertilizers applied to both rice and wheat crop. Based on the findings of the investigation, it may be concluded that farmers may adopt substitution of 50% N either through FYM or wheat straw or green manuring withSesbaniaaculeata+50% RDF through inorganic fertilizer in rice followed by 100% RDF through fertilizers in wheat for improving crop productivity, profitability and maintaining soil fertility of rice-wheat system.ThesisItem Open Access Performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under need based nitrogen management strategies and tillage options using active crop canopy sensor(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2019-11-13) Pratap, Tej; Haque, Md. MizanulWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important grain crops and is the backbone of the national food security system. The country has witnessed a dramatic increase in wheat production from a mere 2.9 mt in 1964 to all time record 98.38 mt (2016-17). This increase production has mainly come through a net gain in productivity per unit area. In Bihar wheat is growing in an around 2.2 mha and produced 5.5 mt with a productivity of 28 q/ha. The productivity of wheat in Bihar is below the national wheat productivity which creates an opportunity for improving productivity. In order to meet the food demand of the growing population which is expected to reach 1.3 billion by 2020 AD, it is essential to sustain the productivity at a much higher level. The projected demand for wheat by 2020 is 105.0 mt and to achieve is new and innovative production technological approaches are to be explored. Resource degradation problems are being manifested is several ways like soil health degradation and adverse environmental effect due to global climate change. Decline soil carbon and fertility are affecting soil biodiversity resulting in multiple nutrient deficiencies and above all a decline in factor productivity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for promoting conservation agricultural practices and adoption of precision technologies that can reverse the process of resource degradation. Hence, increased production efficiency and resilience in agriculture is what the need at the current juncture. In-efficient input (fertilizers) use is a key factor pushing the cost of cultivation and pulling down the profitability in wheat farming. Hence, we must ensure synergy for better synchronization of the demand of crop with nutrients inputs to achieve maximum benefit interms of higher production and input-use-efficiency. Site specific nutrient management practices (SSNMP) are adopted with due consideration to spatial and temporal variability in order to maximizeproduction and minimize cost of production and environmental damage. Among different management variability, SSNM and soil management are two major concerns. Nitrogenous fertilizers being basic and widely used nutrients in crop production needs special attention for precision management practices for improving N-use efficiency reducing N losses and environmental pollution.For improving N-use efficiency, reducing N lossesand environmental pollution Precision tools, viz. active canopy sensor and SPAD meter may prove to be beneficial in ecologically sound and economically viable options of wheat production. Keeping the above facts in consideration, a field experiment entitled “performance of wheat under need based nitrogen managementstrategy and tillage options using active crop canopy sensor.” Was carried out with three replications during the year rabi 2014-15 and 2015-16 in BAC, Research Farm Sabour. Two different tillage options (conventional tillage, CT and Zero tillage, ZT) were kept in main –plots and six different nutrient management practices [viz.N1-Recommended dose of nutrients (150:60:40 kg NPK/ha, full P & K and ½ N at basal +1/2 N in two splitting at 1st & 2nd irrigation- Top dressing after irrigation, N2-Recommended dose of nutrients (150:60:40 kg NPK/ ha, full P & K and ½ N at basal + ½ N in two splitting at 1st & 2nd irrigation-Top dressing before irrigation, N3-SSNM Based on Nutrient Expert (NE), N4-70% N of SSNM based on NE+ remaining N as guided by Green Seeker, N5 Nitrogen enriched plots (225:60:40 Kg. NPK/ha.) and N6- SPAD based nutrient management, (75 Kg. N as basal + 25 Kg. N as 1st top dress + 25 Kg. N at 42 SPAD reading) were evaluated in sub plots. The experimental results revealed that different tillage option could not affect the growth & yield attributes of wheat crops where as, different nutrients management practices significantly influences the several growth and yield attributing characters. Yield opened under conventional tillage practice (43.4 q/ ha. & 45.0 q/ha. During both years) zero tillage practices (41.5 q/ha. & 44.3 q/ha.) were statically alike Different nutrients management practice and positive influence on growth, yield attributing characters and yield of wheat crops. SSNM based on nutrients expert (70 % N) + remaining N as guided by green-Seeker recorded higher mean wheat grain yield of 45.5 q/ha. and 49.4 q/ha during both years of experimental and was statically at par with the mean grain yield recorded under N3, N6 and N1-level of nutrients management. Similarly other growth and yield attributing characters like dry matter at different growth stages, LAI, CGR, effective tillers, spike length, number of grains per spike, HI and test weight followed the same trend. Maximum uptake of N, P and K were recorded under N4 level of nutrients management. Based on N applied in various nutrients management option and observed that the agronomic nutrients management use efficiency was higher (43.33 & 47.03) in the treatments N4 so far the B:C ratio is concerned the maximum value (2.82 &3.02) is recorded under N4 treatments and was statistically at par with the B:C ratio under the treatment N6. Based on the result obtained during both years of experimentation, it may be concluded that performance of timely sown irrigated wheat crop under conventional and zero tillage condition were found to be statically alike in obtained grain yield of wheat but for economic point of view cultivation of wheat under zero tillage condition was found to be the most economic method of wheat cultivation. Among the different nutrients management practices the 70% N of SSNM based on NE along with Green-Seeker guided N application may prove to be the effective and efficient management practices for resource efficient and cost efficient production of wheat. The result of the present study are promising to suggest that precision N management based on Nutrient Expert tool and Green-Seeker guided N management can potentially improve agronomic economic return from irrigated wheat production system.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on diversification and intensification of rice-wheat cropping system under irrigated condition of Bihar(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2019-10-04) Hanuman, Nanher Angad; Sharma, R. P.A field experiment entitled “Studies on diversification and intensification of rice-wheat cropping system under irrigated condition of Bihar” was conducted at Bihar Agricultural College, Farm. Sabour, Bhagalpur (Bihar) during Kharif, rabi and summer seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15. Soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, soil was saline-alkali in reaction (pH 7.48), low organic carbon content (0.53 %), with low available N and medium P2O5, K2O and S (213.25, 23.59, 226.02 and 12.2 kg/ha, respectively). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Total twelve cropping sequences were taken to constitute treatments for different intensification of rice-based cropping system viz. Rice –wheat – fallow, rice – maize + potato - maize + cowpea, rice -wheat + fenugreek - mung bean, rice - potato + radish - onion + maize, rice - cabbage + radish - ladyfinger + mung bean, rice – maize + potato - sorghum + cowpea, rice - maize + rajmash - maize + cowpea, rice - garlic + coriander - maize (grain) + cowpea, rice -wheat (Z.T.) - mung bean (Z.T.), rice - maize (Z.T.) - cluster bean, rice - oat (multi-cut)- pearl millet + rice bean and rice - chick pea + coriander - maize + cowpea. Individual plot was thoroughly prepared in each season to avoid mixing of soil. Cultivation practices were followed as per recommendation. The practice of weeding was applied after recording data on weed population. The cropping systems followed during the kharif, rabi and summer season had significant effect on grain yield of rice, rabi and summer crops (including intercrops). The highest rice - equivalent yield of 271.09 q ha-1, net return of Rs 1, 28,142 ha-1 and additional net return of Rs 48,677 ha-1, was recorded with (T6) rice (Hybrid JKRH-401) – maize + potato - sorghum + cowpea, closely followed by (T4) rice (R.Suwasini) - potato + radish - onion + maize, produced rice - equivalent yield of (252.54 q ha-1), net return of (Rs 1, 27,248 ha-1) and additional net return of (Rs 47,783 ha-1). These sequences were significantly superior to all the treatments and generated almost 61.25% and 60.13%, respectively more profit over (T1) rice – wheat system. The system productivity of 75.12 rice kg/ha/day and system profitability of Rs. 351.07 ha-1/day) was distinctly highest under the (T6) rice (Hybrid JKRH-401) – maize + potato - sorghum + cowpea cropping system. Further, this system coupled with higher monetary returns provided more employment to labourers (442 man days ha-1 year-1) and generated employment by101.66% more than (T1) rice-wheat cropping system. On the other hand, highest irrigation water use efficiency (45.63 kg/mm), carbohydrate (equivalent) yield (21908 kg/ha) and highest energy output (365555MJ/ha) was recorded under (T6) rice (Hybrid JKRH-401) – maize + potato - sorghum + cowpea, while, highest energy productivity of 337 g/MJ was obtained in (T8) rice - garlic + coriander – maize (grain) + cowpea, due to less amount of input energy required. The lowest weed population of 15.52 /m2, dry matter production of 12.48g/m2 and highest weed smothering effect of 37.05 % was recorded in (T6) rice (Hybrid JKRH-401) – maize + potato - sorghum + cowpea, at 60 DAT, which was at par with (T7) rice (Hybrid JKRH-401) - maize + rajmash - maize + cowpea. As regards the status of organic carbon, intensification involving green gram as summer crops resulted in marked improvement in soil organic carbon and soil pH from the initial level. Maximum available soil N (219.33kg/ha) and available P2O5 (32.90 kg/ha) was recorded under (T9) rice (R.Mahsuri) -wheat (Z.T.) - mung bean (Z.T.), whereas, highest K2O (178.60 kg/ha) was recorded in (T3) rice - wheat + fenugreek - mung bean. Significantly higher total N, P, K uptake was obtained in (T6) rice (Hybrid JKRH-401) - maize+ potato - sorghum + cowpea, (937.64 kg/ha). The highest net gain of N (7.32 kg/ha) and P2O5(10 kg/ha) after two years was observed in (T9) rice -wheat (Z.T.) - mung bean (Z.T.) and minimum deficit of K (47.99 kg/ha) was observed with (T3) rice -wheat + fenugreek - mung bean. On the basis of the results obtained it may be concluded that farmer with adequate resources can diversify the existing rice – wheat system with (T6) Rice (Hybrid JKRH-401)- maize + potato - sorghum + cowpea and (T4) Rice (R.Suwasini) - potato + radish - onion + maize, cropping systems for getting higher productivity, profitability and sustainability.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of tillage and crop establishment practices on productivity, profitability and sustainability of maize based cropping systems(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2019-05-03) Mishra, Sunil Kumar; Pathak, S. K.A field experiment was conducted on Bihar Agricultural College Research Farm, Sabour, Bhagalpur during the kharif and rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The treatments comprised of three tillage systems viz.conventional tillage, zero tillage and permanent raised bed system in the main plots and six cropping systems viz.maize+soybean-wheat, maize-wheat, maize-maize, maize-rapeseed, maize-chickpea and soybean-maize in sub plots. The soil of experimental plots was silty loam in texture, neutral in reaction, low in organic carbon & nitrogen, medium in available phosphate and potash. Field observations were taken in all crops viz. kharif maize, soybean, rabi maize, wheat, rapeseed and chickpea in two heads, growth and yield and yield attributes.The observations with similar dimensions were pooled for analysis over the environments of the two cropping seasons. However, the data with varying dimensions over various cropping systems has been interpreted from the mean of two years. All growth parameters of kharif and rabi crops viz. plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index (LAI) and crop growth rate (CGR) were affected by tillage. Similarly, yield attributes of kharif maize, soybean, rabi maize, wheat, rapeseed and chickpea were affected by tillage. Total number of weed flora and weed dry matter was found significantly lower in permanent raised bed and zero tillage over conventional tillage at both 30 and 60 DAS. Significantly higher maize equivalent yield, gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio was recorded in zero tillage and permanent raised bed in comparison to conventional tillage. Among cropping systems tested,maize-maize cropping system recorded significantly highest gross return and net return while B: C ratio was recorded to be maximum in maize-chickpea cropping system. Significantly highest system energy output, net energy and energy use efficiency were found in permanent raised bed and zero tillage than conventional tillage. Maximum total nutrient uptake of N, P and K was found in, which was significantly higher over the conventional tillage. Among cropping systems, the nutrient uptake was found highest in maize-maize system. So far as fertility status of soil was concerned, there was more build-up of available soil N, P and K in permanent raised bed and zero tillage than conventional tillage. However in cropping systems, maize- chickpea cropping system noted maximum build-up of available N, P and K. On the basis of results of net return, B:C ratio and energy use efficiency obtained during two years of experimentation it can be concluded that, among different tillage systems, permanent raised bed and zero tillage may be advocated over conventional tillage whereas among cropping systems, maize-maize system for maximum system productivity (MEY) & net returnsand maize - chickpea cropping system for maximum B:C ratio may be preferred. With respect to soil fertility, permanent raised bed and zero tillage may be better option over conventional tillage.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of tillage and crop establishment practices on productivity, profitability and sustainability of maize based cropping systems(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2019-05) Mishra, Sunil Kumar; Pathak, Sushil KumarA field experiment was conducted on Bihar Agricultural College Research Farm, Sabour, Bhagalpur during the kharif and rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The treatments comprised of three tillage systems viz.conventional tillage, zero tillage and permanent raised bed system in the main plots and six cropping systems viz.maize+soybean-wheat, maize-wheat, maize-maize, maize-rapeseed, maize-chickpea and soybean-maize in sub plots. The soil of experimental plots was silty loam in texture, neutral in reaction, low in organic carbon & nitrogen, medium in available phosphate and potash. Field observations were taken in all crops viz. kharif maize, soybean, rabi maize, wheat, rapeseed and chickpea in two heads, growth and yield and yield attributes.The observations with similar dimensions were pooled for analysis over the environments of the two cropping seasons. However, the data with varying dimensions over various cropping systems has been interpreted from the mean of two years. All growth parameters of kharif and rabi crops viz. plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index (LAI) and crop growth rate (CGR) were affected by tillage. Similarly, yield attributes of kharif maize, soybean, rabi maize, wheat, rapeseed and chickpea were affected by tillage. Total number of weed flora and weed dry matter was found significantly lower in permanent raised bed and zero tillage over conventional tillage at both 30 and 60 DAS. Significantly higher maize equivalent yield, gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio was recorded in zero tillage and permanent raised bed in comparison to conventional tillage. Among cropping systems tested,maize-maize cropping system recorded significantly highest gross return and net return while B: C ratio was recorded to be maximum in maize-chickpea cropping system. Significantly highest system energy output, net energy and energy use efficiency were found in permanent raised bed and zero tillage than conventional tillage. Maximum total nutrient uptake of N, P and K was found in, which was significantly higher over the conventional tillage. Among cropping systems, the nutrient uptake was found highest in maize-maize system. So far as fertility status of soil was concerned, there was more build-up of available soil N, P and K in permanent raised bed and zero tillage than conventional tillage. However in cropping systems, maize- chickpea cropping system noted maximum build-up of available N, P and K. On the basis of results of net return, B:C ratio and energy use efficiency obtained during two years of experimentation it can be concluded that, among different tillage systems, permanent raised bed and zero tillage may be advocated over conventional tillage whereas among cropping systems, maize-maize system for maximum system productivity (MEY) & net returnsand maize - chickpea cropping system for maximum B:C ratio may be preferred. With respect to soil fertility, permanent raised bed and zero tillage may be better option over conventional tillage.
