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Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa
In the imperial Gazetteer of India 1878, Pusa was recorded as a government estate of about 1350 acres in Darbhanba. It was acquired by East India Company for running a stud farm to supply better breed of horses mainly for the army. Frequent incidence of glanders disease (swelling of glands), mostly affecting the valuable imported bloodstock made the civil veterinary department to shift the entire stock out of Pusa. A British tobacco concern Beg Sutherland & co. got the estate on lease but it also left in 1897 abandoning the government estate of Pusa.
Lord Mayo, The Viceroy and Governor General, had been repeatedly trying to get through his proposal for setting up a directorate general of Agriculture that would take care of the soil and its productivity, formulate newer techniques of cultivation, improve the quality of seeds and livestock and also arrange for imparting agricultural education. The government of India had invited a British expert. Dr. J. A. Voelcker who had submitted as report on the development of Indian agriculture. As a follow-up action, three experts in different fields were appointed for the first time during 1885 to 1895 namely, agricultural chemist (Dr. J. W. Leafer), cryptogamic botanist (Dr. R. A. Butler) and entomologist (Dr. H. Maxwell Lefroy) with headquarters at Dehradun (U.P.) in the forest Research Institute complex.
Surprisingly, until now Pusa, which was destined to become the centre of agricultural revolution in the country, was lying as before an abandoned government estate. In 1898. Lord Curzon took over as the viceroy. A widely traveled person and an administrator, he salvaged out the earlier proposal and got London’s approval for the appointment of the inspector General of Agriculture to which the first incumbent Mr. J. Mollison (Dy. Director of Agriculture, Bombay) joined in 1901 with headquarters at Nagpur
The then government of Bengal had mooted in 1902 a proposal to the centre for setting up a model cattle farm for improving the dilapidated condition of the livestock at Pusa estate where plenty of land, water and feed would be available, and with Mr. Mollison’s support this was accepted in principle. Around Pusa, there were many British planters and also an indigo research centre Dalsing Sarai (near Pusa). Mr. Mollison’s visits to this mini British kingdom and his strong recommendations. In favour of Pusa as the most ideal place for the Bengal government project obviously caught the attention for the viceroy.
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ThesisItem Open Access Weed management in winter maize (Zea mays L.) based intercropping systems(Rajendra Agricultural University, 2012) Kumar, Shambhu Sharan; Sharma, R. P.A field experiment was carried out during the two consecutive winter seasons of 2009-10 and 2010-11 at Bihar Agricultural College farm, Sabour then under the Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar to explore intercropping based weed management in winter maize (Zea mays L.) based intercropping system. The experiment was conducted in split plot design replicated thrice with five cropping systems (sole maize, sole potato, sole rajmash , maize + potato in 1:1 ratio, and maize + rajmash in 1:2 ratio) were put in the main plot. While five weed management practices (weedy check, two hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, alachlor @2.0 kg ai ha-1as pre- emergence, oxyfluorfen @ 0.25 kg ai ha-1as pre- emergence and pendimethaline @ 1.0 kg ai ha-1as pre- emergence + one hand weeding at 30 DAS ) were placed in the sub plots. Shaktiman-3, Kufri ashoka and PDR- 14 were the test varieties of maize, potato and rajmash, respectively. The plant population of the sole crops were kept the same in intercropping also. The intercrops were given half the dose of NPK given in their pure stands. Irrespective of weed management practices employed, the sole crops of maize, potato and rajmash exhibited better expressions in terms of their growth parameters, yield attributes and yield in their pure stands than those recorded from their mixed stands. Likewise, regardless of the cropping systems adopted, two hand weeding surpassed all other weed management practices in terms of growth and yield characters as well as the ultimate yield. Amongst, the herbicidal treatments pendimethalin + one hand weeding gave better performance wherever maize was their either as a sole crop or mixed crop (maize + potato and maize + rajmash). Alachlor proved to be superior to its rest of the herbicidal treatments so far as growth and yield of potato and rajmash were concerned. Maize + potato intercropping system proved to be the most economical in terms of net return followed by maize + rajmash intercropping system. Amongst the three sole crops, maize was the most remunerative followed by potato and rajmash in descending order. B:C ratio, however, were the highest under sole maize followed by maize + potato and maize + rajmash intercropping systems. It is pertinent to make a mention here that sole potato too had very good net return and B:C ratio if two hand weedings were given to the plots. The soil properties studied in terms of pH, organic carbon and available NPK did not show significant variation as a result of treatment effects. The NPK uptakes were a direct reflection of the yield constituents as their concentrations in grain and straw did not differ significantly. There had not been much difference between the two intercropping systems in regard to LER and other competitive characters. Weed infestation and weed dry matter were the least, where ever rajmash was there either as a sole crop or a intercrop. Weed infestation was the least with two hand weedings. Pendimethalin @1.0 kg ai ha-1 pre-emergence + one hand weeding in maize and alachlor @2.0 kg ai ha-1 pre-emergence in potato and rajmash were instrumental in reduction of weed infestation (number as well as dry matter). Based on the result obtained it may be concluded that the performance of Maize + potato getting two hand weeding is more remunerative than any other propositions. Maize + rajmash is next in order. Sole potato is also remunerative but only under weed free amplitudes. It may be adopted maize + potato intercropping system giving two hand weeding. Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @1.0 kg ai ha-1 pre-emergence followed by one hand weeding at 30 DAS may be a replacement to two hand weedings. Apply pre-emergence alachlor @ 2.0 kg ai ha-1 for control of weeds in pure crops of potato and rajmash as a substitute to two hand weedingsThesisItem Open Access Effect of irrigation and mechanical weeding on growth, yield and quality of rice under system of rice intensification.(Rajendra Agricultural University, 2012) Kumar, Rajan; Kumar, VinodA field experiment was carried out during Kharif season of 2008 and 2010 in Split Plot Design with three replications at Rajendra Agricultural University Farm, Pusa, Bihar to find out the “Effect of irrigation and mechanical weeding on growth, yield and quality of rice under system of rice intensification”with four irrigation levels consisting of continuous submergence to 2.5 cm, submergence to 2.5 cm 1 DAD, 3 DAD and 5 DAD of ponded water and three levels of mechanical weeding i.e. rotary weeding at 20 and 40 DAT, rotary weeding at 20, 30 and 40 DAT and rotary weeding at 10, 20, 30 and 40 DAT . The test variety was Proagro (Arize)-6444 of medium duration maturity. The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, low in available N, P and medium in K with pH of 8.2. Results of two year experiment revealed that growth and yield attributes like plant height, number of tillers/hill, leaf area index, plant dry weight, crop growth rate, root volume, root dry weight, number of panicles/m2, number of spikelets/panicle, number of grains/panicle, length of panicle, grain weight/panicle, grain and straw yields, total NPK-uptake and gross return were found to be maximum under the treatment continuous submergence to 2.5 cm and were found significantly superior over submergence to 2.5 cm 5 DAD but were at par with 1 DAD and 3 DAD. Relative growth rate, 1000 grain weight, grain : straw ratio, harvest index, NPK content in grain and straw, crudeprotein content in grain and final soil fertility status of soil were not influenced by irrigation levels. Water use efficiency, water productivity, weed population and dry weight of weed were affected significantly due to different level of irrigation. The minimum water use efficiency, water productivity weed population and weed dry weight were observed with irrigation level ofcontinuous submergence to 2.5 cm. The values of these traits were increased with decrease in number of irrigation. Net return was not affected significantly due to different levels of irrigation in either of the years. However, maximum net return was obtained with submergence to 2.5 cm 3 DAD followed by 1 DAD, continuous submergence and submergence to 2.5 cm 5 DAD. Net return per rupee of investment was significantly influenced by irrigation levels. The maximum net return per rupee of investment was fetched with submergence to 2.5 cm which was significantly superior to continuous submergence to 2.5 cm 5 DAD and submergence to 2.5 cm 1 DAD but was statistically at par with submergence to 2.5 cm 3 DAD. Growth and yield attributes like plant height, number of tillers/hill, leaf area index, plant dry weight, crop growth rate, root volume, root dry weight number of panicles/m2, number of spikelets/panicle, number of grains/panicle, length of panicle, grain weight/panicle, grain and straw yields, total NPK-uptake, gross and net return were found maximum with the rotary weeding at 10, 20, 30 and 40 DATwhich in turn were significantly superior overrotary weeding at 20 and 40 DATbut statistically were at par with rotary weeding at 20, 30 and 40 DAT. Relative growth rate, 1000 grain weight, grain straw ratio, harvest index, NPK content in grain and straw, crude protein content in grain and final soil fertility status of soil were not affected significantly due to mechanical weeding treatments. Water use efficiency, water productivity, weed population and weed dry weight were significantly influenced by different levels of mechanical weeding during both the years of experimentation. The maximum water use efficiency and water productivity were recorded with four rotary weedings at 10, 20, 30 and 40 DAT which was significantly superior over two rotary weedings at 20, and 40 DAT but was statistically at par with three rotary weedings at 20, 30 and 40 DAT. The minimum weed population and weed dry weight were observed with four rotary weedings at 10, 20, 30 and 40 DAT. These were increased with decrease in number of rotary weeding. Net return per rupee of investment was not influenced by mechanical weeding. The maximum net return per rupee of investment was recorded with four rotary weedings at 10, 20, 30 and 40 DAT which was closely followed by three rotary weedings at 20, 30 and 40 DAT and the minimum net return per rupee of investment was recorded with two rotary weedings at 20 and 40 DAT.ThesisItem Open Access Spatial arrangement and Fertility levels in chickpea based inter cropping system under rainfed condition(Rajendra Agricultural University, 2012) Alam, Md. Irshad; Nandan, RaviAn investigation entitled “Spatial arrangement and fertility levels in chickpea based intercropping system under rainfed condition” was planned and carried out during rabi-seasons of 2009-10 and 2010-11 at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi Farm of Rajendra Agricultural University, Bihar, Pusa, (Samastipur) to find out compatibility of intercrops and their row ratio with chickpea at appropriate fertilizer level for boosting the productivity of the intercropping system under rainfed condition. The experiment comprised of two intercropping systems, viz. chickpea + mustard and chickpea + linseed, two row arrangement i.e. 6:1 and 6:2 together with sole cropping of each crop and three fertilizer levels of intercrops viz. 50% RDF, 75% RDF and 100% RDF (60:40:40:20 kg, N : P2O5 : K2O : S/ha). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (factorial) with three replications. Sole crop of chickpea, mustard and linseed were fertilized with recommended dose of fertilizer. The recommended dose of fertilizer (N:P:K:S kg/ha) for the crops were 20:40:20:20 for chickpea and 60:40:40:20 for mustard and linseed. The entire quantity of fertilizers was side dressed at the time of sowing to base as well as component crops in sole as well as in intercropping systems. The crops were sown on December, 2 and November, 24 in first and second year of experimentation, respectively by maintaining rows distance of 30 cm between the rows and 10 cm between plant to plant with the seed rate of 75, 05 and 20 kg/ha to chickpea, mustard and linseed, respectively. The chickpea and linseed were harvested in April while mustard was harvested in March during both the years. Sole chickpea recorded higher number of branches/plant, dry matter accumulation, root length, root dry weight, number and dry weight of nodules/plant and yield indices than both the row ratio of intercropping systems in both the years. Chickpea + linseed (6:1) recorded similar grain yield to sole chickpea. Among the row ratio in intercropping systems, chickpea + linseed (6:1) expressed better growth, better expression of yield attributes and yield, grain : straw ratio and harvest index of chickpea than the chickpea + mustard in 6:1 and 6:2 ratio during both the years. The growth parameters, yield attributes, grain and straw yields, grain: straw ratio and harvest index of chickpea did not vary significantly due to fertilizer levels. Chickpea + mustard irrespective of their row ratios recorded significant reduction in number of larvae/10 plants, number of damaged pods/plant and pod damage percentage over chickpea + linseed and sole chickpea. Higher value of these indices were recorded at 100% RDF than the lower levels of fertilizer but fails to exert significant effect on these indices except to pod damage percentage which were significantly more at 100% RDF than 50% RDF. Nutrient uptake by chickpea did not vary significantly among the intercropping systems. However sole chickpea recorded significantly higher uptake of phosphorus and potassium than chickpea + mustard and chickpea + linseed under both the row ratios while nitrogen uptake in sole chickpea significantly excelled over 6:2 row ratio of chickpea + mustard and chickpea + linseed in second year and at both the row ratios of chickpea + mustard in first year. Nutrients uptake by chickpea did not vary significantly due to different levels of fertilizers in both the years of investigation. Number of branches, dry matter accumulation and yield attributing characters of mustard and linseed were higher in 6:1 row ratio of intercropping than sole crops. However taller plant of both the intercrops was recorded in sole stand. These growth and yield attributing parameters of mustard and linseed were significantly higher at 100% RDF than 50% RDF except plant height of mustard at later crop growth stages, dry matter of mustard at 60 DAS, plant height of linseed at all the growth stages and number of branches of linseed at 30 DAS in both the years. Maximum grain and straw yields of mustard and linseed were recorded in sole stand which were significantly higher over both the row ratios of component crops in intercropping systems. Among the intercropping systems, 6:2 row ratio of chickpea + mustard and chickpea + linseed recorded maximum grain and straw yields which were significantly higher over their 6:1 row ratio in both the years. Grain: straw ratio and harvest index of mustard and linseed in intercropping system as well as sole cropping did not vary significantly. Application of 100% and 75% RDF recorded similar grain and straw yields of mustard and linseed and in turn both were significantly superior to 50% RDF in both the years except straw yield of mustard in first year, where only 100% RDF significantly scored over 50% RDF. Grain: straw ratio and harvest index did not vary significantly among the fertilizer levels. Total uptake of N, P and K by mustard and linseed in both the years were significantly higher in sole stand than their intercropping system. Among the row ratio in intercropping systems, 6:2 row ratio of both the intercropping systems recorded significantly higher uptake of these nutrients by mustard and linseed than 6:1 row ratios in both the years. The nutrients uptake recorded at 100% and 75% RDF were at par and both of them recorded significantly higher uptake over 50% RDF in both the years. Total phosphorus and potassium uptake by the crops in intercropping systems were significantly higher in 6:2 row ratio of chickpea + mustard than both the row ratios of chickpea + linseed and sole chickpea but was at par to 6:1 row ratio of chickpea + mustard. Uptake of these nutrients remained unaffected due to fertility levels. The maximum chickpea equivalent yield (CEY) was recorded in 6:1 row ratio of chickpea + mustard (2233 and 2501 kg/ha) being at par with 6:2 row ratio of same intercropping and significantly higher over both the row ratio of chickpea + linseed and sole chickpea in both the years. Fertility levels had non-significant effect on CEY in both the years. Land equivalent ratio (LER) did not vary significantly among the row ratio in intercropping systems, only 6:1 row ratio of chickpea + mustard (1.15 and 1.16) recorded significantly higher LER over sole chickpea in both the years. LER also did not vary significantly among different fertilizer levels. Gross return did not vary significantly among the intercropping systems however, showed significant variation compared to sole chickpea. Pooled data revealed that chickpea + mustard in 6:1 row ratio recorded significantly higher gross return (Rs. 66325/ha) than sole chickpea (Rs. 56867/ha). Maximum net return on pooled basis was recorded in 6:1 row ratio of chickpea + mustard (Rs. 44828/ha) but was found at par with 6:2 row ratio of chickpea + mustard (Rs. 44758/ha) and in turn both significantly scored over chickpea + linseed at both the row ratios (Rs. 40082 and Rs. 39503/ha) and sole chickpea (Rs. 34716/ha). Higher B:C ratio was accrued under 6:2 row ratio of chickpea + mustard (2.10) however was at par with 6:1 row ratio of chickpea + mustard (2.08) and both treatments proved their superiority over chickpea + linseed at both row ratios (1.88 and 13.85) and sole chickpea (1.57). Gross return, net return and B: C ratio did not vary significantly among the fertilizer levels.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of different organic sources on growth, yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties(Rajendra Agricultural University, 2010) Prasad, Kamlesh Kumar; Kumar, VinodAn experiment was conducted in the year 2006-07 and 2007-08 on potato with seven nutrient sources [F1- crop residue incorporation (Previous crop moong) @ 2 t/ha, F2 - F1 + microbial culture to decompose crop residue (Trichoderma viride) @ 2.50 kg/ha, F3 - F2 + Biofertilizer (Azotobacter + Phosphobacteria) @ 250 ml/ha each, F4 - F3 + Biodynamics (BD- 500 @ 75 g/ha as soil surface spray in 40 l of water; BD-501 @ 250 g/ha with 35 l of water as spray at 2 leaves stage and Urja @ 1.25 kg/ha in 800 l. of water, 3 spray at interval of 20 days starting from 30 DAP), F5 - F4 + FYM @ 20 t/ha, F6 - FYM 30 t/ha and F7 - RDF ( N-150, P2O5-90 and K2O-100 kg/ha) and three potato varieties (V¬1 - Rajendra Alu-1, V2 - Kufri Pushkar and V3 - Kufri Jawahar) at Tirhut College of Agriculture Farm, Dholi (Muzaffarpur), Bihar during Rabi season. The soil of the experimental plot was Entisol, sandy loam in texture and low in available NPK with a pH of 8.31. It has semi-arid, sub-tropical climate, which is greatly influenced by South-West monsoon with an average annual rainfall of 1270 mm. The experiment was carried out in randomized block design (factorial) with twenty one treatments and were replicated thrice. All the growth parameters like plant height, shoots per plant, leaves per plant, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, bulking rate and all yield attributing characters got their maximum reflection to the treatment F7 (inorganic nutrient source) which was comparable with F5 (organic nutrient source). An interaction effect was found significant in terms of LAI observed by the treatment F7 with variety Kufri Pushkar at 90 DAP which was at par with treatment F5 with same variety. The treatment F5 produced significantly higher fresh tuber yield over F1, F2, F3 and F4. Treatment F5 produced 31.41 per cent and 31.93 per cent more fresh tuber yield over treatment F1 (organic nutrient source) in 2006-07 and 2007-08, respectively. Whereas, for shelf life of potato tubers, treatment F5 recorded significantly lower rotting, weight loss and reducing sugar percentage in comparison to F7 at different growth stages. While in qualitative observations, the maximum starch production, nitrogen content, crude protein content was recorded by treatment F7 which was at par with F5. The gross return, net return and B : C ratio was recorded significantly higher by the treatment F7 over all other treatments except F5.¬ Among the varieties, Kufri Pushkar recorded significantly superior in all growth parameters, yield attributing characters except tuber : vine ratio and harvest index during both the years. Kufri Pushkar showed an early emergence at 15 days after planting than other varieties. It was also observed that Kufri Pushkar produced significantly higher number of tubers per plant, weight of tubers per plant and grade wise yield in the categories of 20-40 g and > 40 g over rest of the varieties. The variety Kufri Pushkar produced 13.05 per cent and 13.18 per cent higher during 2006-07 and 24.05 per cent and 23.89 per cent higher fresh tuber yield during 2007-08 over Kufri Jawahar and Rajendra Alu-1, respectively. Regarding shelf life of potato, Kufri Pushkar recorded significantly lower rotting, weight loss and reducing sugar percentage, while this variety had significantly higher production of starch, nitrogen content and crude protein during both the years. Kufri Pushkar fetched maximum gross return (Rs. 103324 and Rs. 105793/ha), net return (Rs. 60564 and Rs. 63033/ha) and benefit : cost ratio (1.40 and 1.46), respectively.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Rajendra Agricultural University, 2010) Kumar, Pankaj; Kumar, VinodA field experiment was carried out during two consecutive kharif season of 2008 and 2009 at Crop Research Centre of Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa to find out the "Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.)". Twelve treatments T1-100% recommended dose of fertilizers (100 kg N + 40 kg P2O5 + 20 kg K2O ha-1), T2-100% recommended dose of nitrogen through vermicompost, T3-100% recommended dose of nitrogen through FYM, T4-75% recommended dose of nitrogen through inorganic source + 25% recommended dose of nitrogen through vermicompost, T5-50% recommended dose of nitrogen through inorganic source + 50% recommended dose of nitrogen through vermicompost, T6-25% recommended dose of nitrogen through inorganic source + 75% recommended dose of nitrogen through vermicompost, T7-75% recommended dose of nitrogen through inorganic source + 25% recommended dose of nitrogen through vermicompost, T8-50% recommended dose of nitrogen through inorganic source + 50% recommended dose of nitrogen through FYM, T9-25% recommended dose of nitrogen through inorganic source + 75% recommended dose of nitrogen through FYM, T10-100% recommended dose of fertilizer + 25% recommended dose of nitrogen through vermicompost, T11-100% recommended dose of fertilizer + 25% recommended dose of nitrogen through FYM, T12-100 kg N + 60 kg P2O5 + 40 kg K2O ha-1 were tested in Randomized Block Design replicated thrice. Growth parameters such as number of tillers m-2 and dry matter accumulation per square metre were found maximum in the treatments getting 25 per cent additional N through vermicompost or FYM over and above 100 per cent RDF. The treatment T1-100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and T12-N100 P60 K40 were found to be equally well. LAI was comparatively greater in the treatments receiving higher proportion of organic manures especially in later stages of growth. Plant height was not affected significantly. CGR, RGR and NAR were also better in the same set of treatments which showed higher tillering and dry matter accumulation. Number of effective tillers m-2, weight of panicle and number of grains per panicle were found highest under the treatment T10, T11 and T12. Length of panicle and 1000-grain weight were not affected significantly by the different treatments. Grain and straw yields were also better in the aforesaid set of four treatments. Harvest index did not vary significantly. NPK concentrations in grain and straw were not affected significantly due to different treatments. NPK uptake were again higher in treatments in which additional 25 per cent recommended dose of nitrogen was given as vermicompost or FYM over and above 100 per cent RDF, closely followed by N100 P60 K40 and RDF. Substitution of N through organics significantly influenced organic carbon and available nitrogen status of soil during both years of experimentations. Kernel length and kernel breadth before and after cooking were higher in treatments getting higher proportion of inorganic-N. Hulling and milling percentage and shape index before and after cooking were not affected markedly. Head rice recovery were higher in the treatment receiving higher proportion of organic-N. Net return was the highest in the treatment getting N100 P60 K40 kg ha-1 very closely followed by RDF (N100 P40 K20) but B : C ratio were the highest in RDF closely followed by N100 P60 K40. The treatments getting 25 per cent additional N as vermicompost or FYM fell far behind in respect of net return and B : C ratio. Thus, on the basis of two years experimentation the recommended dose of fertilizer (100 kg N 40 kg P2O5 and 20 kg K2O ha-1) appear to be adequate for aromatic rice. Benefit of organic manure comes through changes in soil properties for which a minimum of four to five years application would be essential.