Loading...
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.
Browse
15 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access Effect of tillage systems and nitrogen management on the efficacy of decomposers for in-situ crop residue management in rice- wheat cropping system(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2023) Chandini; Sharm, R. P.The Indo-Gangetic Plains' rice-wheat (RW) cropping system has contributed significantly to India's food security. However, because of declining soil health, increasing demand on natural resources, and new climate change issues, the sustainability of this significant cropping system is in jeopardy. Innovations in crop residue management to prevent straw burning should help farmers achieve sustainable production while reducing nutrient and water inputs and risk from climate change. The irrigated RW system's high yields have produced enormous amounts of crop wastes. Straw burning especially of rice is a common practice that depletes nutrients and seriously impairs air quality, endangering human health and safety. For their management, keeping rice residues as surface mulch in wheat crops is a smart choice. Mulching reduces weed pressure while increasing yield, water productivity, and profitability. Studies on recycling rice residue have been found to improve soil health and quality. Since rice residues are a key source of plant nutrients, regular application can reduce the management of fertiliser in the RW system. The present experiment was carried out during the kharif and rabi seasons of 2020 and 2021 using a split-split plot design with two tillage systems as main plot factors: T1: Puddled transplanted rice – conventional tillage wheat (PTR–CTW) and T2: Zero tillage direct seeded rice – zero tillage wheat (ZTDSR–ZTW); four nitrogen management strategies, N1: No Starter Dose of N (SD) + RDF, N2: SD (25 kg N/ha) + (RDF-25 kg N/ha), N3: SD (25 kg N/ha), and N4: SD (5 kg N/ha foliar spray) + RDF, were applied to the sub-plot and three decomposers-D1: Trichoderma, D2: Aspergillus, and D3: Pusa Decomposer were used as sub-subplot treatments. Findings from the study suggests that treatments T2 (ZTDSR-ZTW), N3 (SD (25 kg N/ha) + RDF), and D3 (Pusa decomposer), increased plant growth parameters individually in both the crops during both the year. Among the tillage systems, conventional PTR produced 2.78 % higher yields as compared to ZTDSR however, ZT wheat yields were 12.01 % higher over CTW. The rice equivalent grain yield was 4.7 % higher in ZTDSR–ZTW system as compared to PTR–CTW system. Application of N3 (SD (25 kg N/ha) + RDF) and D3 (Pusa decomposer) resulted in 11.5 % and 6.4 % higher rice equivalent yields over other treatments. Tillage (T1 in rice and T2 in wheat) along with N3 (SD (25 kg N/ha) + RDF) and D3 (Pusa decomposer) recorded significantly higher yield compared to other treatment combinations. Splitting of RDF nitrogen as starter dose and post crop application (N2) resulted in 1 % lower yield in rice and 5.7 % lower yield in wheat over RDF application (N1). The economic analysis in rice showed that puddle transplanting resulted in 9 % higher gross returns and 5.8 % higher net returns whereas, B:C ratio of ZTDSR were observed to be 3.39 % higher as compared to PTR. In wheat, gross returns (11.4 %), net returns (29.6 %) and B:C ratio (25.76 %) recorded significantly higher values in ZT over conventional tillage. It was also found that crop residue retention (ZTDSR–ZTW) significantly improved various soil properties and some important soil parameters added their benefit in enhancing the soil quality in T2 (ZTDSR–ZTW) such as particulate organic carbon, soil available nitrogen, beta-glucosidase and bulk density. Retention of crop residues significantly improved the soil quality index under T2 (0.87) as compared to (0.81) in T1 tillage system where the residues were incorporated. Among the decomposers Pusa Decomposer significantly improved the soil quality index as compared to Aspergillus or Trichoderma. On the basis of two years study conducted it may be concluded that Zero Tillage in rice may not positively impact the rice yields in short term however, ZT was beneficial for wheat and helped improve the system rice equivalent yields. Moreover, it was found that crop residue retention was less resource intensive as compared to residue incorporation and helped in improving the soil quality sustainably as compared to crop residue incorporation. Additional application of nitrogen as starter dose helped in increasing the crop yields in combination of application of decomposers. Splitting the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) as starter dose for residue decomposition and remaining RDF as post crop establishment negatively impacted the crop yields. Combination of appropriate tillage and nitrogen management along with application of suitable decomposers can sustainably increase the crop yields while reducing the production costs as well as improve the soil health over time.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of potassium management under different establishment methods on productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2023) Raj, Prithvi; Sharma, R. P.The rice (Oryza sativa L.) -wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system, being the most extensive and productive system, occupies 13.5 M ha land and produces staple grain supply to millions of people in South Asia (Singh et al., 2017). Rice-wheat cropping system is a cornerstone of India’s food and nutritional securities, with 75 % contribution to the national food chain. Direct seeded rice and zero tillage wheat practices are becoming popular in this cropping system as sustainable agricultural management practices due to unavailability of water, labour scarcity and higher production cost in conventional system (PTR-CTW). Potassium is an important primary nutrient and is required for crop growth and productivity. In continuous cropping systems without application of potassium fertilizer, soil available K rapidly depletes due to higher uptake by crop as well as due to removal of crop residue. The addition of about 8.15 to 8.97 Mg ha−1 of rice straw can add K averaged 197-221 kg ha−1 year−1 (Sharma et al., 2021). Some microorganism has been reported to play a key role in the natural potassium cycle like Pseudomonas, Bacillus mucilaginosus and Bacillus edaphicus have been found to release potassium in an accessible form from potassium-bearing minerals in soils. These help to dissolve potassium from insoluble K-bearing minerals such as micas, illite, and orthoclases, by excreting organic acids which either directly dissolved rock K or chelated silicon ions to bring K into the solution. Thus, keeping in view the above consideration present study was formulated to find out the effectiveness of crop establishment, residue retention, split application of potassium and use of KSB on growth and productivity of rice crop, their residual effect on succeeding wheat crop and fertility status of soil. A field experiment was conducted during the period of 2019-2021 at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar to identify the “effect of potassium management under different establishment methods on productivity of rice-wheat cropping system”. The experiment was conducted in split plot design with three main plots i.e., M1: puddled transplanting rice (PTR) followed by conventional-till wheat (PTR/CTW), M2: PTR followed by zero-till wheat with residue (PTR/ZTW+R), M3: direct seeded rice (DSR) followed by ZTW+R (DSR/ZTW+R). Sub-plots treatments consisted K management practices i.e., K0 : Control, K1 : 40 kg K2O ha-1 Basal, K2 : 40 kg K2O ha-1 two equal splits, K3 : 60 kg K2O ha-1 Basal, K4 : 60 kg K2O ha-1 two equal splits, K5 : 80 kg K2O ha-1 Basal, K6 : 80 kg K2O ha-1 two equal splits, K7 : 60 kg K2O ha-1 Basal +KSB and K8 : 30 kg K2O ha-1 MOP+10 kg K2O ha-1 VC+KSB. Rice variety ‘Rajendra sweta’ was transplanted at spacing of 20 cm × 15 cm using seed rate of 40 kg ha-1 whereas, wheat variety ‘HD2967’ was sown 20 cm apart using a seed rate of 100 kg ha-1. The soil of the experimental plot was well drained, sandy loam in texture, almost neutral in reaction, low in OC and N while medium in P and K. Results revealed that growth parameters, yield attributing characters and grain yield were observed highest in rice under PTR followed by ZT wheat (M2) and in wheat under DSR followed by ZT wheat (M3), under crop establishment methods. In potassium management practices significantly higher number of effective tillers, numbers of grains panicle-1/earhead-1 and grain yield of rice and wheat crop were noticed in 60 kg K2O ha-1 in two equal splits (K4) as compared to recommended dose of K i.e., 40 kg K2O ha-1 and it was statistically at par with K3, K5, K6, K7 and K8. System rice equivalent yield (SREY) (kg ha-1) was significantly influenced by establishment methods, and the highest was observed about 4.4 % more in M2 as compared to M1 while, it was statistically at par with M3. SREY were significantly influenced by K management practices, SREY increased with increase in K level from 40 to 60 kg K2O ha-1. The SREY did not vary significantly between (K4), (K5) and (K6). The SREY obtained with K4 were 11.13 % more as compared to recommended dose (K1, K2), while it was statistically similar with K5, K6 and K7 treatments. Potassium uptake did not vary significantly under crop establishment methods of rice-wheat cropping system, while in potassium management practices 80 kg K2O ha-1 in two equal splits (K6) recorded significantly higher nutrient content and uptake, while it was statistically at par with K3, K4, K5 and K7. Potassium use efficiency (AEk) (%) did not vary significantly under crop establishment methods of rice-wheat cropping system, 30 kg K2O ha-1 through MOP+10 kg K2O ha-1 through VC+KSB (K8) recorded higher AEk in K management practices, while it was statistically at par with K4 and K7 treatments. In economics of rice-wheat cropping system M3 noted maximum net return (Rs. 1,11,177, 1,14,853 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.59, 1.65), during first and second years, respectively under crop establishment methods, while in potassium management practices K4 recorded maximum net return (Rs. 1,18,737, 1,20,663 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.63, 1.65), during first and second years, respectively and it was statistically at par with K3, K6 and K7 treatments. The experiment confirmed that crop establishment methods and potassium management with straw retention alleviated soil K depletion and enhanced soil K fertility, and optimum rate of K inputs enhanced their effects. Different potassium management strategies influenced soil available K mainly in the top 15 cm of soil that is suitable for plant uptake and higher crop yield. It was concluded that higher growth and yield of rice-wheat cropping system can be realized by establishing the crops as PTR followed by ZT wheat (M2) and fertilizing the crops with 60 kg K2O ha-1 in two equal splits (K4) was found better among other treatments in respect of crop productivity as well as profitability of rice-wheat cropping system.ThesisItem Open Access Response of hydrogel to different irrigation schedule on growth, water use and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2023) Kumar, Nikhil; Haque, MizanulThe present investigation was carried out during 2018-2019 and 2019-20 in the Department of Agronomy BAC, Sabour to study the “Response of hydrogel to different irrigation schedule on growth, water use and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)”. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most important cereal crop grown in the world. It is a predominant source of nutrition and calorie intake of about two billion people constitutes about 36% of the world’s population. Globally, wheat is cultivated in an area of about 220 million hectares with a record production of 763.06 million tonnes of grain. India has the most wheat-growing area (14 percent), followed by Russia (12.43 percent), China (11.14 percent), and the United States (6.90 percent), accounting for around 45 percent of the global total. The maximum effective tillers/ m2, number of grains per tiller, 1000grain weight was recorded in T8 (two irrigations at CRI and Anthesis + hydrogel 30kg/ha) which was statistically at par with other irrigation scheduling of two and three irrigations but significantly higher over no irrigation and one irrigation applied at CRI stage. Dry matter production increased as growth progressed and the maximum value was observed at harvest. It was a function of increased plant height, tiller production, leaf area and leaf area index. The highest dry matter production was associated with two irrigations (I2) caused significant variation as compare to one and no irrigations, but was statically at par with four irrigations. The grain yield is a manifestation of yield contributing characters and therefore maximum grain yield was recorded in T7 (two irrigations at CRI + Anthesis with hydrogel 10kg/ha) and T8 (two irrigations at CRI + Anthesis with hydrogel 30ka/ha) (45.6 q/ha) which was statistically similar to T11 and T6. Higher grain yield and yield attributing characters were observed with two irrigations applied at CRI and Anthesis stage which might be due to the maintenance of adequate available soil moisture in the root zone throughout the crop growth period. Similar result was also reflected in the growth characters of the wheat crop. The present findings are in accordance with Tadayon et al., (2012). Considering all the combinations of hydrogel dose and irrigation schedules it was observing that two irrigation application at CRI and Anthesis with lower hydrogel dose application provided the optimum benefit cost ratio as compared to reduced or increased irrigation levels. The higher cost of cultivation associated with hydrogel applied treatments was due to the higher cost of hydrogel. However, the net profitability with lower irrigation and hydrogel applied treatment was mainly associated with improved soil moisture availability and higher grain yield of the crop.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on effect of different tillage methods and weed management practices in late sown wheat(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2022) Pal, Ravikesh Kumar; Kumar, ArunA field experiment was conducted during Rabi session of 2020-21 and 2021-22 at research farm of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, to asses on the effect of different tillage methods and weed management practices on weed dynamics, yield and economics of late sown wheat,. The soil of experimental field was sandy loam in texture, medium in organic carbon (0.51%), Neutral pH (7.48) with alkaline reaction and available nitrogen (174.50 kg ha-1) and extractable potassium (154.4 kg ha-1) whereas, medium in available phosphorus (31.25 kg ha-1). The experiment consisted of two tillage methods in main plots i.e., T1: conventional tillage (CT); T2: Zero-tillage (ZT) and eight weed management practices in sub-plots i.e., W1: Sulfosulfuron 75% WG @ 25 g a.i. ha-1 , W2: Metsulfuron methyl 20% WP@ 4 g a.i. ha-1, W3: Carfentrazone ethyl 40% DF@ 20 g a.i. ha-1 , W4: Mesosulfuron methyl 3% + Idosulfuron methyl sodium 0.6% WG (RM) @ (12+2.4) g a.i. ha-1, W5: Sulfosulfuron 75% + Metsulfuron methyl 5% WG (RM) (30+2) g a.i. ha-1, W6: Carfentrazone ethyl 20% + Sulfosulfuron 25% WG (RM) (20 + 25) g a.i. ha-1, W7: Weed free and W8: Weedy laid out in split plot design. All herbicides were applied as post emergence at 32 DAS. The wheat variety HI-1563 was sown on last weeks of December in both years. The crop was infested with diverse type of weed flora viz., grassy, broad leaved and sedges weeds group. However, broad leaved weeds was more dominant, it contributes about 72% of overall population than grassy and Cyperus rotundus was the only species of sedges. Among them the most dominant weeds were Phalaris minor, Cynodon dactylon, Polypogon monspeliensis, Polygonum plebeium, Physalis minima, Solanum nigrum, Chenopodium album, Rumex dentatus and other broad leaves weeds (Melilotus indica, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, Anagallis arvensis). Results of pooled data of two years revealed that at all growth stages of the crop, zero tillage decreased the density and dry weight of all the major weed species of broad leaved and grassy weeds as compared to conventional tillage. Among weed management practices, weed free treatment recorded zero value of weed density and dry weight with 100 % weed control efficiency and among herbicides, Sulfosulfuron 75% + Metsulfuron methyl 5% WG (RM) (30+2) g a.i. ha-1 recorded lower density and dry weight of weeds with 90.5 % weed control efficiency, followed by Carfentrazone ethyl 20% + Sulfosulfuron 25% WG (RM) (20 + 25) g a.i. ha-1 with 89.7 % WCE and was found significantly superior over the weedy. The maximum nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by weeds was noted under the conventional tillage. All growth parameters viz., Plant height, tillers, dry matter accumulation and yield attributing characters and grain yield (36.41 q ha-1, 9% higher yield than CT) were significantly highest in zero tillage wheat as compared to conventional tillage wheat, these beneficiary was due to less incidence of weeds with better weed suppression in zero tillage. Among weed management practices, weed free treatment was found better in term of plant height, dry mater accumulation, tillers, yield attributes and grain and straw yield, it was recorded 64 % higher yield as compared to weedy; being at par with W5 (Sulfosulfuron 75% + Metsulfuron methyl 5% WG (RM) @ (30+2) g a.i. ha-1) (54% higher yield as compare to weedy) and W6 (Carfentrazone ethyl 20% + Sulfosulfuron 25% WG (RM) @ (20+25) g a.i. ha-1) (47% higher yield as compare to weedy). Treatment combination W5 (Sulfosulfuron 75% + Metsulfuron methyl 5% WG (RM) @ (30+2) g a.i. ha-1) in zero tillage gave higher growth and yield followed by W6 (Carfentrazone ethyl 20% + Sulfosulfuron 25% WG (RM) @ (20+25) g a.i. ha-1). Uncontrolled weeds in weedy caused 40.22 per cent reduction in grain yield respectively as compared to weed free situation.. The experiment confirmed that different tillage methods and weed management practices affected the soil fertility, microbial population and enzymatic activity of soil, zero tillage restored the soil health and it observed higher microbial population, enzymatic activity with higher available nutrients. Weed management practices influenced the soil biological activity in short period and then recovered weed free treatment good conserving the biological activity of soil followed by weedy and all herbicides showed significant adverse effect on the microbial population recorded at 3 days after herbicide application, later it was recorded higher in weed free and all herbicidal treatment as compare to weedy. While weedy was found also conserving the nutrients in term of available nutrients. zero tillage capability has better diversion of nutrient removal by weeds towards crop so the highest nutrient uptake was recorded in zero tillage while among the weed management practices, weed free treatment had also found same response followed by W5 (Sulfosulfuron 75% + Metsulfuron methyl 5% WG (RM) @ (30+2) g a.i. ha-1) and W6 (Carfentrazone ethyl 20% + Sulfosulfuron 25% WG (RM) @ (20+25) g a.i. ha-1). Considering the economics, zero tillage was found better with high net return (₹ 58378 ha-1 and B: C ratio 1.72). Among tillage, weed free treatment was found higher gross return but it was not economical due to high incurred of money, Hence application of herbicides was found effective in net return and B: C ratio. Application of W5 (Sulfosulfuron 75% + Metsulfuron methyl 5% WG (RM) @ (30+2) g a.i. ha-1) (₹ 62493 ha-1 and B:C ratio 1.89), followed by W6 (Carfentrazone ethyl 20% + Sulfosulfuron 25% WG (RM) @ (20+25) g a.i. ha-1) (₹ 62211 ha-1 and B:C ratio 1.80), and W4 (Mesosulfuron methyl 3% + Idosulfuron methyl sodium 0.6% WG (RM) @ (12+2.4) g a.i. ha-1) (₹ 60289 ha-1 and B:C ratio 1.74), for late sown wheat. On the basis of two years experimentation, it may be recommended that zero tillage method of sowing and weed management through application of Sulfosulfuron 75% + Metsulfuron methyl 5% WG (RM) (30+2) g a.i. ha-1 should be practiced for minimizing weed flora and getting higher yield with profitability in late sown condition.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on nitrogen management based on leaf colour chart (LCC) and chlorophyll meter in rice-wheat cropping system(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2022) Singh, Garima; Pathak, Sushil KumarRice (Oryza sativa L.) - wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system (RWCS) is the most dominating cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) and occupies 12.3 M ha area in India. It accounts for approximately 58% of total area and 77% of total food grain production of the country. However, the sustainability of rice and wheat production under RWCS has witnessed a significant slowdown in last few years due to over and untimely applications of fertilizer nitrogen (N). The NPK consumption ratio has deteriorated from 4.7:2.3:1 (2010) to 7.1:2.7:1 (2018-19) negatively impacting the soil fertility and nutrient use efficiency. Blanket recommendations in vast areas of the IGP region is further declining the fertilizer N recovery efficiency due to large spatial and temporal variability. Improving the nitrogen use efficiency is the ultimate concept for achieving sustainability and profitability of this cropping system for which smart nitrogen management practices employed to reduce the application of excess N and increase economic feasibility. The field experiment was conducted at research farm of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour during kharif and rabi season of year 2019-20 and 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with eleven treatments base on LCC and SPAD meter, replicated thrice. The LCC value was kept as <3.5, <4.0 and <4.5 in combination with N application in split (25 and 30 kg N ha-1) i.e. treatments T1 to T6. Treatment T7, T8 and T9 were SPAD based N recommendation. In T7 SPAD threshold was 38 in rice and 42 in wheat. In the treatment T8 the SPAD threshold was adjusted in the range 36-38 (rice) and 40-42 (wheat) with three conditions of N split application; (i) application of 40 kg N ha-1 if SPAD value is below the range (ii) 30 kg N ha-1 if SPAD value is within the range (iii) 20 kg N ha-1 if SPAD value is above the range. In T9 treatment 30 kg N ha-1 was applied whenever the SPAD Index of test plot was <90% of SPAD of the N rich plot in both the crops. Treatment T10 was FTNM and T11 control where no N was applied. The results showed LCC based treatments T5 and T6 (LCC threshold <4.5) and SPAD based treatment T7 (SPAD <38 in rice and <42 in wheat) recorded progressively tallest plant, more number of tillers, highest LAI as well as dry matter. Among all the LCC based practices, in rice crop the treatment T4 (LCC<4.0) and T5 (LCC<4.5) gave better yield while the treatment T6 where 150 kg N ha-1 was applied in total rice grain yield was 17.5% less compared to T4 and T5 averaged. However, in wheat crop the treatment T6 recorded 18% higher yield over the rest of the LCC treatments (averaged) with N application rate of 145 kg N ha-1 in 4 splits. The LCC based N management treatment T4 (LCC<4.0 with 30 kg N ha-1 as split) gave yield similar to FTNM treatment with 12.5% N fertilizer saving in rice and 16.7% in wheat crop. Among the SPAD based treatments, all the SPAD based treatments in rice crop gave yield comparable to FTNM with 19.4% fertilizer N saving. While in wheat crop, T7 and T8 averaged recorded 14% increase in wheat grain yield over T9 and FTNM with 19.3% and 16% higher fertilizer N rate respectively. There was a strong correlation between the SPAD value and leaf N concentration especially at the PI stage (38.11±0.36) in rice crop and at booting stage (43.89±0.39) in wheat crop. The different N use efficiencies like agronomic NUE, partial factor productivity, N recovery efficiency, Internal NUE, and N harvest index varied under the different N management practices using LCC and SPAD. The SPAD based N management practices gave highest monetary benefit (B: C ratio) in both rice (7.7% and 8.1%) and wheat crop (14% and 17%) as well as in the system (11% and 12.4%) over treatment T4 and T5 (averaged) and FTNM respectively. Therefore, application of 30 kg N ha-1 whenever LCC <4.0 in both rice and wheat crop saves N fertilizer while maintaining the yield and use of SPAD with threshold value <38 in rice and <42 in wheat with 20 kg N ha-1 in split increase productivity of both rice and wheat crop with same N fertilizer rate thereby maintaining the economic benefit of the RWCS in the Indo-Gangetic plains.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 Studies on diversification and intensification of traditional rice-wheat cropping system under irrigated condition(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2020-03-19) Singh, Durgesh; Pathak, Sushil KumarA field experiment entitled “Studies on diversification and intensification of traditional rice-wheat cropping system under irrigated condition” was studied in an ongoing trial of AICRP at Bihar Agricultural College, Farm, Sabour during 2017-18 and 2018-19. Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour is situated at sub-urban area of Bhagalpur city on latitude of 25° 50’ N and longitude 87° 19’ E with an altitude of 37.19 meters above the mean sea level under Gangetic plains of India. The centre is situated under Agro-Climatic Zone III-A (NARP Zone of the State) having diverged type of topographic features, soils, climate, flora and fauna. Sabour, Bhagalpur has a sub - tropical climate characterized with dry summer, comparatively cool rainy season followed by moderate winter. The average annual rainfall of the locality is around 1250 mm of which 75-80 per cent is received during monsoon months (June to October). Soil of the experimental field was loam in texture, soil is slightly saline in reaction (pH 7.61), low organic carbon (0.45 %), with low available N, medium P2O5 and K2O (237, 24.46 and 226.02 kg ha-1, respectively). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Total nine cropping sequences were taken to constitute treatments for different intensification of rice-based cropping system viz., Rice -wheat - fallow, rice - wheat (ZT) - mungbean (ZT), rice - maize + vegetable pea (ZT) - sorghum + cowpea (F), rice - potato + radish - mungbean (G+R), rice - cabbage + coriander leaf - sesamum, rice - fababean (ZT)- okra, rice - berseem - maize + cowpea (F), rice - mustard - mungbean (G+R) and rice -chickpea + linseed (ZT) - maize (green cob & F). With a view to avoid mixing of soil, individual plot was thoroughly prepared in each season. Cultivation practices were followed as per recommendation. The practice of weeding was applied after recording data on weed population. Impact of different cropping systems followed during the kharif, rabi and zaid season was found non-significant on growth and yield of rice, however, rabi and zaid crops (including intercrops) are significantly affected by them. Significantly highest rice equivalent yield of 23.34 t ha-1 was produced by rice - potato + radish - mungbean (G+R) system. This system also provides highest net return of Rs. 2,82,835 ha-1 and additional net return of Rs. 1,45,457 ha-1 with 300 % cropping intensity over rice-wheat system. Being at par with rice - cabbage + coriander leaf - sesamum cropping system, this system was found significantly superior and generated almost 105 % more profit over rice - wheat system. Production efficiency, economic efficiency and employment generation efficiency of any diversified system is a direct measure of its prefer ability in any area as these indicate the employment for farming community for a given period of time. The system productivity (63.95 kg ha-1day-1) and system profitability (774.89 Rs ha-1day-1) was distinctly highest under the rice - potato + radish - mungbean (G+R) cropping system. However, system profitability of rice - cabbage + coriander leaf - sesamum and rice - maize + vegetable pea - sorghum + cowpea (F) system was also found at par. Rice - potato + radish - mungbean (G+R) cropping system was observed significantly higher in relative production efficiency (129.64 %) and relative economic efficiency (106.65 %) while, rice - maize + vegetable pea - sorghum + cowpea and rice - cabbage + coriander leaf - sesamum system was found at par in terms of relative economic efficiency. Further, this system with higher monetary returns provided more employment to labourers (335 mandays ha-1 year-1) and generated 55.10 % more employment than that of traditional rice - wheat cropping system. Significantly higher energy productivity of 407.04 g MJ-1 was also recorded in rice - cabbage + coriander leaf - sesamum system. Hence, on the basis of two years’ data it may be concluded that intensification and diversification of rice -wheat system by rice - potato + radish - mungbean (G+R) system (B:C ratio-2.02) at 300 % cropping intensity considered as the economic viable option for resource rich farmers while, rice - maize + vegetable pea - sorghum + cowpea (B:C ratio- 2.39) and rice - cabbage + coriander leaf - sesamum (B:C ratio- 2.23) for resource poor farmers.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of establishment methods and deficit irrigation on productivity of rice cultivars(Department of Agronomy, BAU, Sabour, 2020-02-17) Chaurasiya, Asheesh; Singh, Ajoy KumarRice is the staple food for half of India as well for Bihar’s population. It is the largest user of water in agriculture which occupies 30 percent of the world’s irrigated cropland. It is grown with flooded water for most of the crop season so irrigated rice receives about 40 percent of the water diverted for irrigation. Over the past 2 decades, efforts have been made to develop ways to reduce water use in rice production and/or increase rice water productivity because reducing water use for rice by a small percentage could free up large volumes of this vital resource for alternative uses. To cope with scarce supplies, deficit irrigation system can play an important role to achieve the goal of reducing irrigation water use with alternate wetting and drying (AWD). For proper guidance and implementation of AWD and deficit irrigation system, a very simple and low cost, farmer-friendly tool a perforated “field water tube” was adopted. The main aim of this water saving-technology is to decrease losses of water due to seepage, percolation and runoff, thereby increasing the productivity of total water inputs from rainfall and irrigation under different establishment methods of rice cultivation. Present experiment was conducted at research farm of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour during Kharif season of 2017 and 2018. In this research the effects of various cultivars (i.e. Rajendra Mahsuri and Arize 6444) with different establishment methods i.e. puddle transplanted rice (PTR) and direct seeded rice (DSR), deficit irrigation (AWD) in different rice cultivars were evaluated in a split - split plot design. In main plot, two establishment methods PTR (T1) and DSR (T2), in sub plots two varieties, Arize 6444 (Hybrid) (V1) a medium duration and Rajendra Mahsuri (V2) a long duration variety, and in sub-sub plots irrigation water with AWD treatments at different threshold levels were allocated. Irrigation was applied when the perched water table dropped below AWD 0 cm, AWD 10 cm, AWD 15 cm, AWD 20 cm and AWD 25 cm respectively. In the AWD treatments, timing of irrigation was based on the water depth in the field water tube installed in each plot. Irrigation time thus varied slightly across replicates. The tubes were installed in the field to depths of 10, 15, 20 and 25 cm (to correspond with AWD treatments). When there was no visible water in the tube, irrigation was applied until the depth above the soil surface reached 5-10 cm. The AWD was stopped until 10-12 days before the expected time of harvest in all water treatments. In terms of growth and productivity of rice, among establishment methods DSR and among varieties Arize 6444 recorded higher values for plant height, LAI, number of tillers, and dry matter accumulation as compared to PTR and Rajendra Mahsuri respectively. Among the irrigation treatments, AWD 0 cm recorded higher growth attributes which was at par with AWD 10 cm and AWD 15 cm. Maximum yield was recorded in PTR (5651 kg/ha) because of higher number of filled grains per panical which was 4 percent higher over DSR. Among varieties, Arize 6444 recorded 3 percent higher yield (5610 kg/ha) over Rajendra Mahsuri while AWD 0 cm recorded the highest yield of 5902 kg/ha over rest of the irrigation treatments. Among establishment methods, DSR required 22 percent less water as compared to PTR while Arize 6444 recorded irrigation water savings of 4 percent with no significant changes to crop management. With increasing AWD treatments, the water savings recorded increase of 20, 32, 41 and 48 percent in AWD 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm and 25 cm respectively, over AWD 0 cm while, yield reduction were 2, 6, 10 and 13 percent for the respective AWD treatments. Irrigation water productivity was higher in DSR (1.24 kg m-3) over PTR while input water productivity was higher in PTR (0.44 kg m-3) over DSR (0.42 kg m-3). Among the irrigation treatments the highest input water productivity was recorded in AWD 25 cm (0.48kg m-3) while the lowest water productivity was recorded in AWD 0cm (0.41 kg m-3). The water stress indicators like chlorophyll content and relative water content decreased gradually upto anthesis while proline content, electrolytic leakage increased with age of crop and increasing AWD depths. At milking stage chlorophyll content and relative water content was significantly reduced while proline content and electrolytic leakage was significantly increased due to water stress. Highest cost of cultivation was recorded in PTR (Rs. 53558 / ha) which was 15 per cent higher over DSR, however, 9 percent higher net returns and 13 percent higher benefit cost ratio was obtained in DSR (net returns - Rs. 59694/ ha and B:C ratio - 2.31). Cost of cultivation was maximum in Arize 6444 while net returns was at par to Rajendra Mahsuri. However, Rajendra Mahsuri recorded 3.3 per cent higher benefit: cost ratio over Arize 6444. Among the different irrigation treatments AWD 0 cm recorded the highest cost of cultivation, gross returns and net returns, however, maximum benefit cost ratio was recorded in AWD 10 cm which was at par with AWD 15 cm and AWD 0 cm treatment. On the basis of two years’ data it may be concluded that adoption of AWD irrigation strategy may provide water savings along with positive economic effects for rice farmers. Deficit irrigation based on AWD regime, can aid in coping with situations where supply is restricted. In rice, a well-designed restricted irrigation regime can optimize water productivity over an area when full irrigation is not possible. The large variability in results was due to differences in the number of days of soil drying between irrigations, and the soil and hydrological conditions. Novel irrigation water-saving technologies (AWD) can also help many rice farmers around the world to cope with water scarcity, thus safeguarding their livelihoods. However, high yields of rice can be obtained only by eliminating moisture stress through assured irrigation and better utilization of rain water.
