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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 Effect of crop establishment methods, nutrient and weed management on hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.)(DRPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, 2019) Singh, Abhinandan; Pandey, I.B.A field experiment was carried out during two consecutive kharif seasons of 2017 and 2018 at research farm of Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi a campus of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar to study the effect of crop establishment methods and nutrient levels on hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) under different weed management practices. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of three crop establishment methods viz. puddled transplanting, unpuddled transplanting and dry direct seeded rice and three nutrient levels viz. 75% RDF (recommended dose of fertilizer), 100% RDF (120:60:40 kg NPK/ha) and 125% RDF were kept in main plot and four weed management practices viz. weedy check, hand weeding twice (20 and 40 DAS/T), bispyribac-sodium 20 g/ha + pyrozosulfuron 20 g/ha at 20 DAS/T, and brown manuring in sub plot. All the treatments received recommended dose of phosphorus and potassium as basal dressing. Nitrogen was applied in three splits i.e. 1/2nd as basal, 1/3rd at the active tillering stage and rest 1/3rd at panicle initiation stage. The crop was sown in rows 20 cm apart using the seed rate of 15 kg/ha for transplanted rice and 25 kg/ha for dry direct seeded rice. The soil of the experimentation plot was sandy loam in texture and low in OC, available Nitrogen, Potassium and medium Phosphorus. The data on various growth characters, yield attributes, nutrient uptake weed dynamics, weed control efficiency and economics were collected and analyzed. Puddled transplanting significantly enhanced plant height, dry matter production, crop growth rate, leaf area index, root volume and root dry weight were recorded when crop was sown with puddled transplanting than unpuddled transpalnting and dry direct seeded rice. However, maximum root length was recorded in dry direct seeded rice which was significantly higher over unpuddled and puddled transplanting. Similarly, puddled transplanting also produced maximum number of tillers/m2, number of panicles/m2, panicle length, number of grain/panicle, number of filled grain/panicle and test weight which was significantly higher over unpuddled transplanting and dry direct seeded rice. The result indicated that puddled transplanting produced significantly higher grain yield (56.71 and 58.47 q/ha), straw yield (80.10 and 81.24 q/ha), harvest index (41.43 and 41.80) and grain: straw ratio (0.708 and 0.719) than unpuddled transplanting and dry direct seeded rice.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of summer legumes on growth and yield of succeeding direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) under different nitrogen levels(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, 2018) Choubey, Anup Kumar; Sinha, K. K.A field experiment was carried out during the two consecutive kharif season of 2014 and 2015 at research farm of Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar to study the effect of summer legumes on growth and yield of succeeding direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) under different nitrogen levels. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of three summer legumes viz. dhaincha, mungbean, urdbean and summer fallow was kept in main plot and four nitrogen levels viz. 0% RDN (recommended dose of nitrogen), 50% RDN, 100% RDN and 150% RDN in sub-plot. All the treatments received an uniform application of 60 kg P2O5, 40 kg K2O and 25 kg ZnSO4 per hectare as basal dressing. Nitrogen was applied in three equal splits i.e. 1/3rd as basal, 1/3rd at the active tillering stage and rest 1/3rd at panicle initiation stage. The crop was sown in rows 20 cm apart using the seed rate of 30 kg/ha. The soil of the experimentation plot was sandy loam in texture and low in OC, available Nitrogen, Potassium and medium Phosphorus. Rice crop sown after incorporation of summer legumes significantly influenced the growth, yield attributes and yield during both the years. Significantly higher plant height (85.15 & 86.03 cm), number of tillers (291.25 and 302.50 m-2), dry matter production (872.19 and 891.36 g m-2) and leaf area index (4.00 and 4.14) were recorded when crop was sown after incorporation of dhaincha than summer fallow. Rice crop was sown after incorporation of dhaincha recorded maximum number of panicles (275.00 and 285.12 m-2), panicle length, number of spikelets/panicle, number of fertile spikelets/panicle being at par with preceding mungbean and both recorded significantly higher value over summer fallow. The crop sown after incorporation of dhaincha produced significantly higher grain yield (38.74 & 39.59 q ha-1) than mungbean, urdbean and summer fallow. Nutrient uptake, net return (`32813 & 38960 ha-1) and B: C ratio (1.10 & 1.36) of rice were also highest in dhaincha incorporated plot which was significantly higher over mungbean, urdbean and summer fallow. Similarly, incorporation of mungbean and urdbean statistically at par in respect to yield indices, grain yield, net return and B: C ratio and both recorded significantly higher values than summer fallow. Application of 100% RDN in dhaincha incorporated plot recorded significantly higher grain yield, net return and B: C ratio than the application of 150% RDN in rice followed by urdbean and summer fallow. Application of 150 per cent recommended dose of nitrogen registered maximum plant height (87.90 and 88.88 cm), number of tillers (309.58 and 318.33 m-2), dry matter production (877.78 and 896.95 g m-2) and leaf area index (4.20 and 4.37) which was statistically at par with 100% RDN and booth significantly scored over 50% RDN and control. The maximum yield attributing parameters, grain yield (40.07 & 41.46 q ha-1), net return (` 34259 & 39880 ha-1) and B: C ratio (1.12 & 1.35) were also recorded at 150% RDN which was found at par with 100% RDN and both significantly scored over lower levels of nitrogen. The N, P and K uptake by rice increased significantly with increasing levels of nitrogen and recorded significantly higher uptake at 150% RDN than lower levels of nitrogen.ThesisItem Open Access Integrated nutrient and weed management on growth, yield and quality of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.)(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, 2018) Kumari, Pooja; Roy, D. K.A field experiment entitled “Integrated nutrient and weed management on growth, yield and quality of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.)” was carried out at Crop Research Centre of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar (India) during kharif seasons of 2016 and 2017 to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient and weed management practices on growth, yield, weed dynamics, quality and economics of aromatic rice. The soil of the experimental field was clay loam with alkaline reaction, normal EC, low organic carbon, available Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. The experiment was carried out in split plot design with three replications. The two factors under study comprised of integrated nutrient management in Main plots i.e. N0-Control, N1-50% RDN through inorganic source + 50% RDN through vermicompost, N2-75% RDN through inorganic source + 25% RDN through vermicompost and N3-100% RDN through inorganic source and integrated weed management in Sub-plots consists of W1 – Pretilachlor 1.5 kg/ha (P.E.) + Bispyribac sodium 20 g/ha at 20 DAT, W2 – Pretilachlor 1.5 kg/ha (P.E.) + 1 HW at 20 DAT, W3 - Weed free (2 HW at 20 & 40 DAT) and W4-Weedy check. The rice variety used was Rajendra Bhagawati and recommended fertilizer dose was 120-60-40 kg/ha N-P-K, respectively. Other crop management practices were performed as per standard package of practices. Growth parameters viz. plant height, number of tillers, dry matter production and crop growth rate were recorded at different crop growth stages. Likewise, yield and yield attributes (number of panicles/m2, panicle length, No. of grains /panicle, test weight, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index) were recorded at harvest. Weed parameters (weed population/m2, weed dry weight, weed control efficiency and weed index), physico- chemical properties (initial and post-harvest Soil pH, EC, organic carbon, available N, P and K in soil, N, P, K and Zn content and uptake by crop and weeds), various qualitative indices viz. protein content, hulling %, milling %, head rice recovery, kernel length, kernel breadth and shape index before and after cooking, kernel elongation ratio, kernel elongation index, volume elongation ratio and economics (cost of cultivation, gross returns, net returns and Benefit-Cost ratio) were also worked out. The data on various aspects in this study on response of rice to different integrated nutrient and weed management practices were analyzed through standard statistical methods and logical conclusions were drawn. Among different nutrient and weed management practices, higher growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, nutrient uptake by crop and lowest weed parameters except weed control efficiencywere found in 50 % RDN through inorganic + 50% RDN through vermicompost in integrated nutrient management and weed free (2 HW at 20 & 40 DAT) under integrated weed management practices . No significant variation was observed with different nutrient and weed management practices in case of crop growth rate at harvest, length of panicle, test weight, harvest index, nutrient content in crop & weeds and quality parameters of crop during both the years of study and in pooled mean. The highest gross returns was found in 50% RDN through inorganic source + 50% RDN through vermicompost in integrated nutrient management and in weed free (2 HW at 20 & 40 DAT) under integrated weed management practices. However, the highest net returns and B: C ratio was found in 100% RDN through inorganic source which was statistically at par with 75 % RDN through inorganic source + 25 % RDN through vermicompost only and was found significantly superior over 50% RDN through inorganic source + 50% RDN through vermicompost and control in integrated nutrient management and under integrated weed management practices,the highest net returns and B: C ratio was found inPretilachlor 1.5 kg/ha (P.E.) + Bispyribac sodium 20 g/ha at 20 DAT which was statistically at par withPretilachlor 1.5 kg/ha (P.E.) + 1 HW at 20 DAT and weed free (2 HW at 20 & 40 DAT).ThesisItem Open Access Effect of planting density and nutrient management on performance of hybrid maize genotypes under maize-wheat cropping system(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2018) Yadav, Shashidhar; Kumar, MritunjayAn investigation entitled “Effect of planting density and nutrient management on performance of hybrid maize genotypes under maize-wheat cropping system” was carried out during 2015-16 and 2016-17 at experimental farm of Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi (Muzaffarpur), a campus of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar. The experiment involving genotypes in main plot, density in sub plot and nutrient management in sub-sub plot, was carried out in split-split plot design. Treatments were replicated thrice with maize hybrid genotypes Pioneer 3540 and Rasi 4595, density 50X20 cm and 60X20 cm as well as nutrient management RDF, STCR and SSNM. In rabi, wheat variety K 307was grown in each plot with application of only recommended dose of fertilizer(N,P2O5 and K2O 120,60 and 40 kg/ha) to assess the residual response of maize hybrid genotypes, density and nutrient management. The results revealed that growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes like length of cob, cob weight, number of grains/cob, weight of grains/cob and grain yield (5.38 tons/ha) were found to be maximum under Pioneer 3540 genotype and were significantly superior over (5.05 tons/ha) of Rasi 4595 genotype. Leaf area index, Days to 50% tasselling and silking, number of cobs/plant, girth of cob, test weight and stover yield were not influenced by genotypes of hybrid maize. Gross return, net return and B: C ratio (Rs 103496, 69583/ha and 2.35) respectively, were recorded to be significantly higher in Pioneer 3540 genotype of hybrid maize, which was significantly superior over (Rs 95489, 64705/ha and 2.19) respectively, genotype Rasi 4595. Density influenced significantly on the growth, yield attributes and yield of maize in both the years of maize. Growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and yield attributes like length of cob, girth of cob, cob weight, number of grains/cob, weight of grains/cob, test weight and grain yield (5.33 tons/ha) were found maximum under 60X20 cm plant density and were significantly superior over (5.10 tons/ha) 50X20 cm plant density.N, P and Kcontent and their uptake were found higher under 60X20 cm plant density,which was significantly superior over 50X20 cm plant density. Significantly higher net return (Rs 68194/ha) and B:C ratio (2.34) were recordedunder 60X20 cm plant density,which was significantly superior over (Rs 66094/ha) and (2.19) under 50X20 cm plant density. Nutrient management had significant effect on the growth, yield attributes and yield of maize in both the years of experimentation. Growth parameters like plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index, yield attributes like length of cob, girth of cob, cob weight, number of grains/cob, weight of grains/cob, test weight and grain yield (5.63 tons/ha) were found maximum under STCR nutrient management and were significantly superior over SSNM as well as N, P and Kcontent and their uptake were found higher under STCR, which was significantly superior over (5.12 tons/ha) SSNM. Significantly higher B:C ratio (2.32) of maize achieved with SSNM, which was statistically at par with (2.26) RDF during both the years of experimentation. The residual effect of genotypes and density did not show significant influence on growth and yield of wheat during both the years of experimentation. Nutrient management had slightly significant effect on the yield of wheat during second year of experimentation. The effect of genotypes and density did not show significant influence on system productivity during both the years of experimentation. Nutrient management had significant effect on the system productivity however, maximum system productivity (10.27 tons/ha) was recorded in STCR.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of Mulching on Productivity and Water-use Efficiency of Maize - Maize Cropping System(DR. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2016) Amandu, Lomoro Phillip Modi; Kumar, VinodA field experiment was conducted at Irrigation Water Management Research field, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar during rabi and kharif seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 to find out the “Influence of mulching on crop productivity and water-use efficiency of maize-maize cropping system”. The soil of experimental site was Entisol, sandy loam with pH 8.2, low in organic carbon (0.44%), available N (218.22 kg/ha), available P2O5 (18.18 kg/ha), and medium in available K2O (158.27 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with 20 treatment combinations in three replications. Four moisture regimes in main plots, viz. 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 IW/CPE ratios and five mulches in sub-plots, viz. 5 and 10 t/ha each of sugarcane trash and maize stover and no mulch were used. The results revealed that growth parameters like plant height, dry weight production, yield attributes like number of rows per cob, number of grains per cob and 100- grain weight, yields of grain, stover and stone, soil organic carbon, total N, P & K uptake by the corps, gross and net returns were found to be maximum with moisture regime 1.0 IW/CPE ratio and were significantly superior over 0.4 IW/CPE ratio but were at par with 0.8 IW/CPE ratio. Leaf area index, number of cobs per plant, harvest index, weed population, weed dry weight, pH, EC and available N, P & K in soil were not influenced by moisture regime in rabi maize. Moisture regime did not influence all the parameters in kharif maize. Water-use efficiency and water productivity were influenced significantly due to moisture regime. The maximum water-use efficiency and water productivity were observed with 0.4 IW/CPE ratio in rabi maize while there was non-significant difference in Water-use efficiency and water productivity due to moisture regime in kharif maize. Moisture regime of 0.8 IW/CPE ratio recorded the maximum B: C ratio in rabi maize but was at par with 1.0 and 0.6 IW/CPE ratios while there was non-significant difference in B: C ratio due to moisture regime in kharif maize. Growth parameters like plant height, dry weight production, leaf area index, yield attributes like number of rows per cob, number of grains per cob and 100- grain weight, yields of grain, stover and stone, water-use efficiency, water productivity, soil organic carbon, available N, P & K, total N, P & K uptake, gross and net returns, and B: C ratio were found to be the maximum with maize stover @ 10 t/ha but were significantly superior over no mulch in rabi and kharif maize. Number of cobs per plant, harvest index, pH and EC were not influenced significantly due to mulching in rabi and kharif maize. Weed population and weed dry weight recorded the minimum with maize stover @ 10 t/ha while the maximum with no mulch in rabi and kharif maize. Grain yield was found to be highly significant and positively correlated with all yield attributes and was non-significant and negatively correlated with weed population and weed dry weight in rabi and kharif maize.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of moisture regimes on system profitability, water productivity and soil health under rice based cropping systems(Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2016) Kumari, Rinki; Nandan, RaviA field experiment was conducted at Research Farm of Rajendra Agricultural University Pusa during 2012-2013 to 2013-2014. The soil of experimental site was Entisol, sandy loam with pH 8.6, low in organic carbon (0.44 %), available N (150.52 kg/ha), available P2O5 (18.33 kg/ha) and medium in available K2O (158.20 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in split plot design with 15 treatment combinations in three replications. The treatments were 5 cropping sequences in main plots i.e. rice-potato-groundnut, rice-potato-cowpea (green pods), rice-potato-greengram, rice-maize+potato-sesbania (green manure), rice-maize+garden pea (green pods) and 3 moisture regimes in sub-pots i.e. 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 IW/CPE ratios for rabi and zaid crops. The depth of each irrigation was 6 cm. Rice was grown under system of intensification (SRI) in all the cropping sequences. The rice crop was irrigated at 3 days after disappearance of ponded water (DAD) with 3 cm depth. The total effective rainfall received during 2012-13 and 2013-14 was 61.3 cm and 52.4 cm, respectively. The maximum rice equivalent yield (REY) of 281.12 q/ha was recorded under rice-maize+potato-sesbania (green manure) cropping sequence however, was statistically at par with rice-potato-groundnut cropping sequence and both were significantly superior over rest of the cropping sequences. Significantly higher REY was registered at 1.2 IW/CPE ratio (256.96 q/ha) as compared to moisture regime of 0.8 IW/CPE ratio but was statistically at par with 1.0 IW/CPE ratio. Maximum production efficiency (PE) of 88.08 kg/ha/day was recorded with rice-potato-groundnut sequence which was found significantly superior over other cropping sequences except to that of rice-maize+potato-sesbania (green manure) cropping sequence (83.42 kg/ha/day). Maximum PE of 82.67 kg/ha/day was noticed at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio which was comparable with 1.0 IW/CPE ratio (80.26 kg/ha/day) but was significantly superior over 1.2 IW/CPE ratio. Rice-maize+potato-sesbania (green manure) cropping sequence occupied the field for longer period with land use efficiency (LUE) of 92.32 per cent while moisture regimes did not influence the LUE. Water-use efficiency (WUE) and water productivity were exhibited the highest value in rice-maize+potato-sesbania (green manure) cropping sequence (229.64 kg/ha-cm and ` 18.84/m3, respectively). No significant differences in WUE and water productivity were observed due to different moisture regimes. Rice-maize+potato-sesbania (green manure) cropping sequence generated maximum gross returns (` 366915/ha) and net returns (` 230300/ha) while rice-maize+garden pea cropping sequence showed the highest B: C ratio (3.05) however, under different moisture regimes the highest gross returns (` 335724/ha), net returns (` 214530/ha) and B: C ratio (1.87) were recorded at 1.2 IW/CPE ratio. Rice-maize+potato-sesbania (green manure) cropping sequence recorded significantly highest total uptake of N (371.63 kg/ha), P (93.70 kg/ha), K (330.74 kg/ha) while the lowest was due to rice-potato-greengram cropping sequence under different moisture regimes. IW/CPE ratio of 1.2 recorded the highest total NPK uptake of 342.05, 74.63, 259.71 kg/ha and the lowest uptake was recorded with 0.8 IW/CPE ratio. There was non-significant variation in pH and EC in all the cropping sequences and moisture regimes. Organic carbon in soil was found significantly highest in rice-maize+potato-sesbania (green manure) cropping sequence (0.56 %) and at moisture regimes of 0.8 IW/CPE ratio (0.52 %). Rice-maize+potato-sesbania (green manure) cropping sequence and moisture regimes at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio registered maximum available N, P2O5, K2O (272.32, 35.24, 187.56 kg/ha, respectively) and (195.86, 30.87, 185.73 kg/ha) respectively as compared to other treatments at the end of second year of investigation.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.