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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 Studies on ecological intensification in rice (Oryza sativa L.)(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Singh, Balpreet; Kumar, AmrendraA field experiment entitled “Studies on ecological intensification in rice (Oryza sativa L.)” was conducted on sandy loam soil at experimental farm of TCA, Dholi (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa) (Samastipur), Bihar during kharif season, 2019. The soil of the experiment field was calcareous in nature containing 32.3% free CaCO3, sandy loam in texture and alkaline in reaction with a pH of 8.21. It was moderately fertile being low in organic carbon (0.41%) and available nitrogen (184 kg N/ha) and also low in available phosphorus (10.23 kg P/ha) and potassium (103.21 kg K/ha). The experiment was conducted in randomised block design (factorial) which was replicated thrice taking the variety Rajendra Bhagavati as a test crop. The factors under study comprised of different ecological intensification practices and farmers practices: T1-Farmers practices, T2- Ecological intensification (E.I.), T3- E.I. minus tillage practices, T4-E.I. minus nutrient management, T5-E.I. minus planting density, T6-E.I. minus water management, T7-E.I. minus weed management and T8 E.I. minus insect and disease management. Standard package and practices of crop management were followed. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were applied as basal whereas urea was applied as per treatment in three split doses as basal (50%), active tilleing (25%) and panicle initiation (25%). The experimental findings revealed that ecological intensification had a profound influence on growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, nutrient uptake and economics of rice. Significantly higher values of growth parameters (tillers m-2 and dry matter production) were observed in rice. As a result, treatment T2 produced tallest plants at all the growth stages. However, T8 treatment found at par with the T2 treatment in all the growth stages. Most of the yield attributes (panicle length and grains panicle-1), yield (grain and straw), NPK uptake (grain and straw) were higher with T2 treatments. It was also found to be the most profitable treatment in regards to gross returns, net returns and B: C ratio. Thus, it can be inferred that the ecological intensification practices is beneficial for realizing maximum economic benefits, higher productivity, reduced fertilizer use and improved soil fertility.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of weed management practices on growth, yield, weed dynamics and economics of elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius)(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Manjeet; Singh, R. S.A field experiment was conducted during the Summer season of 2019 at research farm of Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi (Muzaffarpur) to study the “Effect of weed management practices in growth, yield, weed dynamics and economics of Elephant Foot Yam [Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson]”. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments, replicated thrice. The treatment comprised as : Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @1000g/ha + Post emergence application of glyphosate @ 1000g/ha at 45 and 90 DAP (T1), Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @1000g/ha +Hand weeding at 45 and 90 DAP (T2), Raising cowpea for green manureing in inter spaces immediately after planting and incorporation of cowpea at 50 DAP +Post emergence application of glyphosate @ 1000g/ha at 90 DAP (T3), Hand weeding at 30 DAP + Post emergence application of glyphosate @ 1000g/ha at 60 and 90 DAP (T4), Post emergence application of glyphosate @ 1000g/ha at 30, 60 and 90 DAP (T5), Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @1000g/ha +Post emergence application of Quizalofop- p ethyl @50 g /ha at 45 and 90 DAP (T6), Ground Cover by Yam Bean Pod Straw. (T7), Hand weeding at 30, 60 and 90 DAP (T8). Weedy check (T9). The soil of experimental plot was calcareous and sandy [Type text] [Type text] [Type text] loam in nature. Planting was carried out on 12-04-2019, by planting corm of 500 g each of the Gajendra variety, with a spacing of 90 cm×90 cm. All the weed management practices had significant effect on growth and yields parameters of Elephant Foot Yam crop. The weed management practices showed their effectiveness in increasing in growth and yield attributing characters viz., days to emergence, plant height, psedo stem girth, canopy spread, plant dry weight and crop growth rate. Early emergence in number of days to emergence was found in the treatment (T-7) Ground Cover by Yam Bean Pod Straw. Significantly higher plant height, psedo stem girth, canopy spread, plant dry weight and crop growth was also observed under Ground Cover by Yam Bean Pod Straw (T-7).. The fresh weight and dry weight of Corm/plant increased from 90 DAP to harvest and was significantly influenced by different weed management practices. Maximum fresh weight and dry weight of Corm/plant at harvest was recorded in (T-7) Ground Cover by Yam Bean Pod Straw. Similar trend was also recorded in case of fresh weight and dry weight of above Ground plant parts. The treatment (T-6) Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @1000g/ha +Post emergence application of Quizalofop-p ethyl @50 g /ha at 45 and 90 DAP was observed with highest harvest index (%). Treatment (T-7) Ground Cover by Yam Bean Pod Straw recorded significantly higher corm yield. Among the weed management practices, At 40 DAP, minimum weed count was recorded in (T-4) Hand weeding at 30 DAP + Post emergence application of glyphosate @ 1000g/ha at 60 and 90 DAP. While minimum weed count at 70 DAP, 100 DAP & at Harvest respectively was recorded in (T-5) Post emergence application of glyphosate @ 1000g/ha at 30, 60 and 90 DAP. Weed dry weight at 40 and 70 DAP, minimum was recorded in (T-8) Hand weeding at 30, 60 and 90 DAP. At 100 DAP and at Harvest the treatment (T-5) Post emergence application of glyphosate @ 1000g/ha at 30, 60 and 90 DAP recorded the minimum weed dry weight. The weed growth rate significantly decreased at every successive growth stages of crop. At 0-40 DAP, minimum weed growth rate (g/m2 /day) was recorded in(T-8) Hand weeding at 30 , 60 and 90 DAP and at 40-70 DAP, minimum weed growth rate (g/m2 /day) was recorded in (T-4) Hand weeding at 30 DAP + Post emergence application of [Type text] [Type text] [Type text] glyphosate @ 1000g/ha at 60 and 90 DAP. From 70-100 DAP, minimum weed growth rate (g/m2 /day) was recorded in (T-1) Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @1000g/ha + Post emergence application of glyphosate @ 1000g/ha at 45 and 90 DAP. At 100 DAP - harvest, the treatment (T-2) Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @1000g/ha +Hand weeding at 45 and 90 DAP was recorded minimum weed growth rate. However it was statistically par with all other treatments except weedy check (T-9). Higher weed control efficiency (%) at 40 and 70 DAP, was recorded in (T-8) Hand weeding at 30, 60 and 90 DAP. While at 100 DAP and at harvest, higher weed control efficiency (%) was recorded in (T-5) Post emergence application of glyphosate @ 1000g/ha at 30, 60 and 90 DAP. Lowest weed index (%) was recorded in the treatment (T-7) Ground Cover by Yam Bean Pod Straw while the highest weed index (%) was recorded in Weedy check (T-9). Among the different weed management practices, the highest cost of cultivation was recorded under treatment (T-8) Hand weeding at 30, 60 and 90 DAP. The treatment (T-7) Ground Cover by Yam Bean Pod Straw recorded significantly higher gross return as well as net return and significantly higher benefit : cost ratio was recorded under The treatment(T-6) Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1000g/ha +Post emergence application of Quizalofop- p ethyl @50 g /ha at 45 and 90 DAP.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of crop establishment methods and zinc nutrition on yield and quality of bud chip transplanted sugarcane(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Rana, Priyanka; Kumar, NavnitA field experiment was conducted at Research Farm of Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur) during spring season of 2019-20, to study the effect of crop establishment methods and zinc nutrition on yield and quality of bud chip transplanted sugarcane. The field experiment was laid in randomized block design (factorial) with 3 replications. The experiment consisted of two crop establishment methods viz., conventional method and furrow irrigated raised bed method and five zinc levels viz., 0 (control), 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 kg Zn/ ha. The experimental site was sandy loam in texture and calcareous in nature having free calcium carbonate varying between 22.0 to 41.0 per cent with pH 8.2 and organic carbon (0.40%). Crop establishment method and zinc nutrition had significant influence on growth, yield and yield attributing characters of bud chip transplanted sugarcane. Experimental findings indicated that crop establishment methods produced higher plant population at all the growth stages that eventually influence a higher number of millable canes (117.3 × 103/ha) at harvest. Similarly, conventional method recorded maximum leaf area index and gave tallest plant at all the stages of observation. Experimental results further revealed that, conventional method registered increasing trend in dry matter accumulation with continuous increase in height with decreasing rate till harvest. No significant difference was recorded on cane diameter and single cane weight due crop establishment method. Similarly, crop establishment method showed no marked effect on quality parameters like brix, pol, purity and CCS per cent. Significantly higher cane and sugar yield of 93.1 and 11.2 t/ha, respectively were obtained under conventional method. Crop establishment method did not exhibit marked variation in zinc content in plant and available zinc in post harvest soil but have significant effect on zinc uptake. Economic analysis of data showed that highest gross returns (2, 88, 730 `/ha), net returns (1, 62, 330 `/ha) and B: C ratio (1.28) was found due to conventional method. Among different application zinc levels, zinc@ 12.5 kg/ha recorded highest plant population and number of millable canes. Higher leaf area index and dry matter accumulation recorded at different growth stages under 12.5 kg Zn/ha. Similarly, zinc content in whole plant, zinc uptake and available zinc in post harvest soil registered higher values at 12.5 kg Zn/ha. There was no marked effect of zinc nutrition on cane diameter and single cane weight but significant affect on cane height was observed. There was no significant difference on brix, pol, purity and CCS per cent due to zinc nutrition. Though, highest cane (100.6 t/ha) and sugar yield (12.1 t/ha) were achieved with application of zinc @ 12.5 kg/ha. In terms of monetary returns, maximum gross returns (311860 ₹/ha), net returns (183920 ₹/ha) and B: C ratio (1.44) was registered with application of 12.5 kg Zn/ha. Thus, it can be concluded that growing of bud chip raised settlings through conventional method with zinc application @ 7.5 kg Zn/ ha was found optimum for attaining optimum productivity and profitability from bud chip transplanted sugarcane.ThesisItem Open Access Performance of different rice varieties under varying transplanting dates(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Devi, Abha; Kumar, RajanA field experiment was conducted during kharif season 2019 in split plot design with three replications at Crop Research Centre, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar to study the “Performance of Different Rice Varieties Under Varying Transplanting Dates”. The main plot treatments consisted of four transplanting Dates viz, 10 June , 30 June , 20 July and 10 August and the sub plot treatments consisted of four varieties viz, RajendraMahsuri, BPT 5204, Rajendra Sweta and Swarna sub 1. The soil of experimental plot was sandy loam. alkaline in nature with pH 8.2, low organic carbon i.e.0.48% and bulk density 1.42 g/cc. The result showed that various growth and yield attributes like plant height, number of tillers per m2, leaf area index, dry matter production (g/ m2), CGR (g/m2/day), number of panicles per m2, panicle length, number of grains per panicle, grain yield, straw yield , harvest index, N content (%), P content (%), K content (%), N uptake (kg/ha), P uptake (kg/ha), K uptake (kg/ha), gross return, net return, B: C ratio were found to be maximum in T1 which was significantly superior to T2, T3 and T4 and were statistically similar to T2 . But water use efficiency, N, P and K content and uptake was not significantly influenced by main plot treatments. 10 June transplanting date recorded the superior yield i.e. 62.95 q/ha followed by 30 June (57.24 q/ha), 20 July (54.47q/ha). Various growth and yield attributes like plant height, number to tillers per m2, leaf area index, dry matter production (g/ m2), CGR (g/m2/day), number of panicles per m2, panicle length, number of grains per panicle, grain yield, straw yield , harvest index, N content (%), P content (%), K content (%), N uptake (kg/ha) , P uptake (kg/ha), K uptake (kg/ha), gross return, net return, B: C ratio were significantly influenced by different varieties and maximum values for all was reported by V1 followed by V2, V4 and V3 subplot treatments.RajendraMahsuri recorded the maximum yield i.e. 64.20 q/ha followed by BPT 5204 (55.43 q/ha) and Swarna Sub 1 (52.57), while Rajendra Sweta recorded the minimum yield i.e. 48.27 q/ha amongst all varieties. Water use efficiency was also significantly influenced by varieties and maximum (59.5 kg/ha-cm) was found in which was statistically at par with V2 while minimum was found in V3.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of brown manuring and different levels of nutrients on the performance of aerobic rice (Oryza sativa. L)(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) M, Poornima Reddy; Chaudhary, S.K.The field experiment entitled “Effect of brown manuring and different levels of nutrients on the performance of aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.)” was conducted on sandy loam soil at the experimental farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), Bihar during kharif season, 2019. The soil of the experiment site was found to be calcareous in nature, sandy loam in texture and alkaline in reaction with a pH of 8.3. It was deficient in organic carbon (0.45%), available nitrogen (243 kg N/ha), available phosphorous (11 kg/ha) and potassium (112 kg/ha). This experiment was conducted in randomized block design (factorial) with sixteen treatment combinations replicated thrice using the rice variety “Abhishek” as a test crop. The two factors under study comprised of (A) System of cultivation: B1 – Rice alone, B2 – Rice + Dhaincha (Brown manuring @ 40 kg/ha which is knocked down at 25 DAS using a post-emergence herbicide) and (B) Different levels of nutrients: F1- 60 kg/ha phosphorous and 40 kg/ha potassium as basal, F2- 60 kg/ha phosphorous and 50 kg/ha potassium as basal, F3- 60 kg/ha phosphorous and 40 kg/ha potassium as split, F4- 60 kg/ha phosphorous and 50 kg/ha potassium as split, F5- 70 kg/ha phosphorous and 40 kg/ha potassium as basal, F6- 70 kg/ha phosphorous and 50 kg/ha potassium as basal, F7- 70 kg/ha phosphorous and 40 kg/ha potassium as split, F8- 70 kg/ha phosphorous and 50 kg/ha potassium as split. Standard package and practices of crop management were followed during the experiment. Complete dose of phosphorous was applied as basal application whereas urea (RDN-140 kg/ha) was applied in three split doses as basal (50%), active tillering (25%) and panicle initiation (25%) and potassium was applied in two split doses (60% as basal and 40% at panicle initiation stage). The results obtained from the experiment revealed that brown manuring and different levels of phosphorous and potassium had a prominent influence on growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, nutrient uptake and economics of aerobic rice. Higher values of growth parameters (Plant height, tillers/m2, dry matter production and crop growth rate) were observed in rice without dhaincha at 25 DAS since rice + brown manuring treatments witnessed higher biological pressure and competition exerted by dhaincha as well as the shading effect of its canopy. As a result, treatment B1 produced higher growth indices initially which were anyways non-significant. However, at the later stages, treatment B2 recorded significantly maximum values of all the growth parameters except plant height(cm). Most of the yield attributes (panicles/m2 and grains/panicle), yield (grain and straw), OC (%) and available N in soil, N, P and K uptake by both grain and straw were significantly higher with inclusion of dhaincha in rice in treatment B2. It was also found to be the most profitable treatment with regards to gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio. While amongst the nutrient levels, treatment F8- 70 kg/ha phosphorous and 50 kg/ha potassium as split recorded significantly higher growth parameters ( tillers/m2 , dry matter production and crop growth rate), yield attributes (panicles/m2 , grains/panicle), yield (grain and straw), N, P and K uptake (grain and straw) and economic returns (gross returns, net returns and B: C ratio) while remaining at par with treatment F4 -60 kg/ha phosphorous and 50 kg/ha potassium as split. Plant height, panicle length, test weight and harvest index remained unaffected by any of these treatments. However, the interaction effect of both the factors did not significantly influence any of the parameters. Thus, from this experimentation it can be inferred that brown manuring and application of 140kg N, 60kg P2O5 and 50kg K2O as split provided beneficial results for aerobic rice cultivation and for the recommendation to farmers.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of different levels and sources of nitrogen on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Pandey, Shubham; Dwivedi, D.K.A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of year 2019-20 on potato with variety Kufri Ashoka to test the RDN levels (0, 100, 125%) with two organic manures (poultry manure and goat manure) at Research farm of Tirhut college of Agriculture Dholi, Muzaffarpur Bihar. The treatment combination were i.e. T1 - control, T2 - 100% RDN through fertilizer, T3 - 125% RDN through fertilizer, T4 - 100% RDN through poultry manure, T5 - 100 % RDN through goat manure, T6 - 50% RDN through fertilizer + 50% RDN through poultry manure, T7 - 50% RDN through fertilizer + 50% RDN through goat manure, T8 - 75% RDN through fertilizer + 25% RDN through poultry manure, T9 - 75% RDN through fertilizer + 25% RDN through goat manure, T10 - 100% RDN through fertilizer + 25% RDN through poultry manure, T11 - 100% RDN through fertilizer + 25% RDN through goat manure. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design and replicated thrice. The experimental site was sandy loam in texture and slight alkaline in reaction (pH 8.31), low in organic carbon (0.40%), available N (212.55 kg/ha), P2O5 (19.35 kg/ha) and K2O (118.12 kg/ha), respectively. All growth and yield parameter like per cent emergence, plant height, number of shoots per plant, number of leaves per plant, dry matter accumulation, bulking rate of tubers, yield attributes and yield were significantly influenced by the levels of RDN along with combination of poultry manure and goat manure. Among all treatments, treatment T10 - 100% RDN through fertilizer + 25% RDN through poultry manure recorded higher per cent emergence (96.19), plant height (48.11), number of shoots per plant (6.29), number of leaves per plant (57.49), dry matter accumulation (70.68 g/plant), bulking rate of tubers (9.10 g/plant/day), and tuber yield (274.75 q/ha), total uptake of N (106.41 kg/ha), P (24.51 kg/ha) and K (122.88 kg/ha) by crop and available N (223.86 kg/ha), P2O5 (27.81 kg/ha) and K2O (135.14 kg/ha) in soil after harvest of the crop which was statistically at par with treatments, T3 (267.83 q/ha) and T11 (272.48 q/ha) and these three treatments were found to be superior over rest of the treatment. In case of economic study significantly higher gross return (329700 ₹/ha), net return (253097 ₹/ha) and B: C (3.30) was found under treatment T10 - 100% RDN through fertilizer + 25% RDN through poultry manure and was at par with treatments T3 and T11.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of high intensity intercropping on the performance of sugarcane ratoon crop under pressurize irrigation(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Patel, Ravikant; Kumar, NavnitA field experiment was conducted at Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, during the autumn season of 2018-19, to study the influence of high intensity intercropping on the performance of sugarcane ratoon crop under pressurize irrigation. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design, replicated thrice with eight different treatments viz., sole sugarcane paired row (PR) with surface irrigation (T1), sole sugarcane PR with drip irrigation (T2), sugarcane PR + French bean (3 rows) with surface irrigation (T3), sugarcane PR + French bean (3 rows) – green gram (3 rows) with surface irrigation (T4), T4 + residue incorporation of green gram (T5), sugarcane PR with drip irrigation + French bean (3 rows) with micro-sprinkler irrigation (T6), sugarcane PR with drip irrigation + French bean (3 rows) – green gram (3 rows) with micro-sprinkler irrigation to both the intercrops (T7) and T7 + residue incorporation of green gram (T8). Different treatments had a significant influence on growth parameters, yield attributes, and yield of sugarcane. The plant population recorded at different stages of growth was found to be significantly affected by different treatments. Experimental results indicated that treatment T2 (sole sugarcane PR with drip irrigation) produced a higher plant population at all the growth stages which were responsible for a higher number of millable canes at harvest. Similarly, treatment T2 showed significantly higher values of leaf area index, plant height, number of millable canes, brix, pol, and CCS percent. However, cane diameter, single cane weight, and purity percentage in the juice were found non-significant. The data on growth parameters, yield attributes, and yield of French bean indicated that the treatment T8 recorded higher plant height (51.2 cm), number of branches/plant at harvest (4.5), number of pods/plant (8.2), number of seeds/pod (5.0), 100- seed weight (47.8 g), and grain yield (1.75 t/ha) as compared to other treatments. Similarly, the growth parameters, yield attributes, and yield of green gram viz., plant height, number of branches/plant at harvest, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, 1000- seed weight, and grain yield, recorded highest values 68.6 cm, 4.4, 24.5, 12.2, 31.8 g, and 1.14 t/ ha, respectively under the treatment T8 as compared to other treatments. Planting of sole sugarcane PR with drip irrigation produced significantly higher cane (102.1 t/ha) and sugar yield (12.3 t/ha). The results obtained from the analysis revealed that though the water requirement was comparatively higher (126.92 cm) under treatment T7 (sugarcane with drip irrigation + french bean – green gram with micro-sprinkler irrigation to both the intercrops), however, water use efficiency (1382.53 kg/ha-cm) and water productivity (13.83 kg/m3) were comparatively higher under sole sugarcane with drip irrigation (T2), it was found to be drip irrigation were economically better than surface irrigation method. Fractionation of soil organic carbon showed comparatively higher values of SOC under sugarcane with drip irrigation + French bean – green gram with micro-sprinkler irrigation to both the intercrops + residue incorporation of green gram (T8) followed by sugarcane with drip irrigation + French bean – green gram with micro-sprinkler irrigation to both the intercrops (T7). Economics of different treatments indicate that the higher cane equivalent yield (153.2 t/ha), gross return (`474900/ ha), and net return (`306500/ ha) were registered with sugarcane with drip irrigation + french bean – green gram with micro-sprinkler irrigation to both the intercrops + residue incorporation of green gram (T8). However, higher benefit: cost ratio (2.13) obtained with sole sugarcane with drip irrigation which was statistically similar to T1 and T8.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of water logging period at different crop growth stages on growth and yield of kharif maize(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Dileep, Bhutekar Satish; Kumar, RajanThe entitled experiment “Effect of water logging period on different growth stages of kharif maize” was conducted in student research farm at Dr. RPCAU, Pusa (Bihar). The experiment was laid in split plot design with three main plot treatments were crop growth stages and four sub-plot treatments were water logging period. The main plot treatments were 1) water logging at seedling stage, 2) water logging at knee high stage and 3) water logging at 50% tasseling stage and sub-plot treatments were 1) 6-hour water logging, 2) 12-hour water logging, 3) 18-hour water logging and 4) 24-hour water logging with three replication of each treatments. Water logging at different growth period and water logging period significantly affected the growth parameters, yield attributes, yields and economics of kharif maize. The growth parameters like plant height, dry matter production (g/plant) and crop growth stage (g/m2/day) at 30, 60 and 90 DAS and at harvest and LAI at 30 and 60 DAS were significantly affected by water logging at different growth stages. Water logging at seedling stage significantly decreased the all growth parameter as compared to 50% tasseling stage. Similarly, water logging period also significantly affected the plant height, dry matter production (g/plant) and crop growth stage (g/m2/day) at 30, 60 and 90 DAS and at harvest and LAI at 30 and 60 DAS. 24-hour water logging and 18- hour water logging were statistically at par in relevance to growth parameters while, significantly reduced the growth parameters as compared to 6-hour water logging period. Yield attributes like number of cobs per plant, number of grains per cob, con length, cob girth and test weight of kharif maize was significantly affected by water logging. Seedling stage water logging significantly reduced the yield attributes as compared to knee-high stage water logging and 50% tasselling stage water logging. Similarly, increased water logging period significantly reduced the yield attributes. Minimum number of cobs per plant, number of grains per cob, con length, cob girth and test weight were observed under 24-hour water logging period which were statistically at par with 18-hour water logging period as compared to 6-hour and 12-hour water logging period. Grain yield, stover yield and stone yield were significantly reduced by water logging of kharif maize. Water logging at seedling stage significantly reduced the grain yield, stover yield and stone yield followed by water logging at knee-high stage as compared to water logging at 50% tasselling stage. Minimum grain yield, stover yield and stone yield (44.62, 59.20 and 12.69 q/ha) was recorded under water logging at seedling stage as compared to water logging % tasseling stage (54.04, 74.80 and 16.03 q/ha). Similarly, 24-hour and 18-hour water logging duration significantly reduced the grain yield, stover yield and stone yield (41.32, 58.38 and 12.72 q/ha) as compared to 6-hour water logging period (56.36, 75.13 and 16.12 q/ha). Harvest index of kharif maize was not affected by water logging at different stages and water logging period. The economics like gross return, net return and B:C ratio also significantly reduced by water logging. Minimum gross return, net return and B:C ratio (84444, 41209 `/ha and 0.95) were recorded under water logging at seedling stage compared to water logging at 50% tasselling stage (102581, 57474 `/ha and 1.27). Across the water logging period 24-hour water logging obtained minimum values of gross return, net return and B:C ratio (78555, 34696 `/ha and 0.79) fb 18-hour (90425, 46566 `/ha and 1.06) as compared to 6-hour water logging period (106715, 62856 `/ha and 1.43). Water use efficiency of kharif maize was affected significantly by water logging.ThesisItem Open Access Bio-fortification of Zn and Fe in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) through agronomic intervention under dhab area(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Sheshrao, Hanwate Pavankumar; Kumar, SunilA field experiment was carried out during the Rabi season of the year 2019-20 at Bairiya Dhab Research Farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India, to study “Bio-fortification of Zn and Fe in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) through agronomic intervention under dhab area” in split plot design with three replications. Main plots treatment consisted of two varieties viz., GCP- 105, GNG-2264 and seven nutrient fortification treatment combinations of Zn and Fe viz., T1:- Recommended dose fertilizer NPK (control), T2:- RDF + 0.5% Zn foliar spraying at pre-flowering and pod development stage, T3:-RDF + 0.5% Fe foliar spraying at pre-flowering and pod development stage, T4:- RDF + Zn (0.5%) and Fe (0.5%) foliar spraying at pre flowering and pod development stage, T5:- RDF + soil application of FeSO4 @ 15 kg/ha at the time of sowing, T6: -RDF + soil application of ZnSO4 (25 kg/ha) + FeSO4 (15 kg/ha) at the time of sowing, T7:- RDF + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg/ha @ time of sowing (recommended practice) were taken in sub plots. The experimental field soil was sandy loam in texture saline in reaction (7.63), medium organic carbon (0.69%), available N (268.3 kg/ha), low in available potassium (112.5 kg/ha), phosphorus (20.4 kg/ha), and available Zn (0.54 mg/kg) and the sufficient amount of available iron (23.41 mg/kg) and the safer range of electrical conductivity (0.18 dS/m). The RDF for chickpea N: P2O5: K2O was 20:45:20 kg/ha and applied through DAP and MOP respectively. The crop was sown on 5th of November 2019 and harvested on 15thApril 2020. The findings revealed that the significant variations were recorded at 60 days after sowing and at the harvest. Chickpea variety GNG-2264 recorded significantly maximum plant growth parameters viz., plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of branches and taken minimum number of days to emergence, over GCP-105. GNG-2264 variety also took less days to attain 50 per cent flowering, 50 per cent pod formation and days from flowering to maturity. Maximum yield and yield attributes viz., number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant, 1000 seed weight and higher seed and straw yields were obtained invarietyGNG-2264. In case of different nutrient fortification treatments of Zn and Fe combinations, the treatment RDF + Zn (0.5%) and Fe (0.5%) foliar spraying at pre flowering and pod development stage recorded significantly maximum plant growth parameters viz., plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of branches and taken minimum number of days to emergence, yield and yield attributes viz., number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant, 1000 seed weight and higher seed and straw yields, harvest index, quality parameters viz., protein content, zinc and iron content in Seed and straw, the same treatment recorded minimum days to 50 per cent flowering and 50 per cent pod formation. However, the lowest value of plant growth parameters, yield and yield attributes, Quality parameters were recorded in control. Variety GNG-2264 recorded maximum gross return, net returns and B: C ratio than variety GCP-105. In case of different nutrient fortification treatments of Zn and Fe combinations, the treatment RDF + Zn (0.5%) and Fe (0.5%) foliar spraying at pre flowering and pod development stage recorded maximum gross return, net returns and B: C ratio, which was followed by treatment RDF+ Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 Kg/ha + soil application of FeSO4 @ 15 kg/ha.
