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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 Study the effects of nutrient levels on potato crop growth, yield and economics(RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) Prakash, Himanshu; Kumar, AmrendraPotato is succulent dicotyledonous herbaceous and member of the Solanaceae family; originated in the Andes Mountain range of South America and introduced to India in the late 16th century. Due to its availability and adaptability to local diets, the demand for this crop has increased significantly, leading an expansion of cultivation area, particularly in the North Indian plain region. Potatoes are grown as an annual winter crop, primarily in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar. The significance of potatoes as a food security crop has been acknowledged by the FAO, with high yield potential and rich nutrient content. Intending to achieve sustainable practices in potato cultivation, site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) has emerged as environmentally friendly and economically feasible alternative to conventional nutrient management strategies. SSNM involves customizing nutrient applications to meet the specific requirements of the crop based on field and season specifications. The implementation of SSNM can improve nutrient use efficiency, crop productivity, and profitability. A field trail was conducted to study the impact of different nutrient levels on potato crop growth and yield where various parameters were analysed, including plant emergence, plant height (cm), number of shoots, leaves and tubers per plant, dry matter accumulation, bulking rate, tuber yield, haulm yield, marketable yield, harvest index, nutrient uptake, and soil nutrient availability. The results indicated that treatment T3, which received 150% of the recommended dose of NPK, showed superior performance in terms of plant emergence, plant height, number of shoots and leaves, dry matter production, bulking rate, number of tubers, tuber yield, haulm yield, and marketable yield followed by treatment getting 125% of RDF (T2) which is relatable to the treatment getting 100% Recommended dose of NPK produces 22.48 t ha-1 of total tuber yield. The nutrient management approach of SSNM proved beneficial, resulting in higher agronomic efficiency and partial factor productivity compared to conventional fertilization practices. Treatment getting 100% NPK as per SSNM Dose (T4) produced 21.15 t ha-1 of tuber i.e., ≅ 15% of targeted yield (25 t ha-1). And treatment getting 125% NPK as per SSNM Dose (T5) produces 22.27 t ha-1 of tuber which is ≅ 10% of the target yield. Conversely, the absolute control treatment (T9) and treatments omitting specific nutrients showed the lowest yield. It is found that the yield responses to fertilization was ranked as follows: NPK > NK > NP > PK> Absolute control. Soil nutrient availability was also affected by the amount of nutrients applied, with T3 showing the highest nutrient availability after harvest. With no change in pH, EC and organic carbon per cent of cultivated soil. The economic study revealed that treatment T3 provided the highest gross as well as net return and benefit-cost ratio whereas BC ratio of SSNM treatments is at par with 150 per cent RDF. In conclusion, site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) demonstrated its potential to enhance potato crop productivity while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Implementing SSNM can lead to improved nutrient use efficiency, yield, and economic returns, contributing to the sustainable growth of potato cultivation and food security.ThesisItem Open Access Enhancing growth and yield of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) through different moisture regimes and microbes(RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) SAREN, BISWAJIT; PRASAD, RAJENDRAA field experiment entitled “Enhancing growth and yield of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) through different moisture regimes and microbes” was carried out during rabi season of 2022-23 at Agricultural Research Farm, TCA, Dholi (Muzaffarpur), a campus of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), Bihar (India). The treatments included various irrigation levels (M1-No irrigation, M2-Irrigation at flower initiation stage [35 DAS] and M3-Irrigation at flowering [35 DAS] and siliqua formation stage [65 DAS]) in main plots and different microbial inoculants (S1-MRD 17, S2-MKS 6, S3-Biophos and Biophos+, S4-CRIDA MI-I, S5-CRIDA MI-II and S6-Control) in sub plots. The split plot design comprised three replications of the treatments. The soil collected from the experimental site was sandy loam in texture and had an alkaline nature with a pH of 8.23, low in organic carbon, available nitrogen and potassium and medium in phosphorus. The Indian mustard variety named 'Rajendra Sufalam' was sown with a seed rate of 5 kg ha-1 with RDF at a spacing of 30 cm x 10 cm. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effect of moisture regime and microbial application on the growth and yield of Indian Mustard, to work out the water-use-efficiency in Indian Mustard under irrigation and microbial population and to work out the economics of different treatments. Under various irrigation levels, two irrigation at flowering (35 DAS) and siliqua formation stage (65 DAS) of Indian Mustard recorded higher growth and grain yield as well as higher oil content and greater water-use-efficiency and also recorded higher gross return (₹106159 ha-1), net return (₹ 61104 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.36) as compared to other treatments. Among the different microbial inoculants, CRIDA MI-II recorded superior impact over other microbial inoculants in terms of growth and yield attributes and yield as well as higher water-use-efficiency of Indian Mustard. In terms of economics of Indian Mustard, CRIDA MI-II reported maximum gross return (₹ 104525 ha-1), net return (₹ 60517 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.37) as compared to other treatments.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on varying application mode of Fe and Zn on growth, yield and quality parameters of lentil (Lens culinaris L.)(RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) JEE, BIPUL; Singh, HarendraAmong the plethora of emerging technologies, the utilisation of nutrients for the purpose of augmenting crop yield via seed, soil, and foliar application, alongside the optimisation of nutrient utilisation efficiency, is widely acknowledged as a highly effective and economically viable approach to bolstering nutrient demands during pivotal growth phases. For this an investigation entitled, “Studies on varying application mode of Fe and Zn on growth, yield and quality parameters of Lentil “was carried out at the research farm of Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi (Muzaffarpur) during Rabi 2022-23. In experiments there were seven treatments such as T1 100%RDF (control) which is common to all seven treatments having difference of 0.5% ZnSO4 in (T2), 0.5% FeSO4 (T3), 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.5% FeSO4 (T4) applied on foliage at pre flowering and pod germination stage. In T5 & T6 seed priming with 0.05% ZnSO4 (W/v) & 0.05% FeSO4 (W/v). Whereas in T7 soil application of ZnSO4 @20kg ha-1was used at the time of sowing. In the current investigation, the foliar treatments utilized for nourishment included ZnSO4.7H2O (containing 21% Zn) and FeSO4.7H2O (containing 19% Fe). Throughout the experiments, a quantity of 300 litres of water was employed for every foliar application in a one-hectare area. The findings demonstrated that ZnSO4 to the soil at a rate of 20 kg per hectare and 100% RDF as basal. The baseline measurements exhibited notably superior growth indicators, yield characteristics, grain yield, net earnings, benefit-cost ratio, nutritional composition, & nutrient assimilation. Their outcome at par result with treatment T4 having foliar spray of ZnSO4 + FeSO4 @ 0.5% during the pre-flowering and pod formation stages. These both treatments (T1, T4) were superior over other treatments. The highest levels of zinc and iron in lentil grains were similarly observed with the approach of soil application of ZnSO4 at 20 kg per hectare and ZnSO4 and FeSO4 at 0.5% spray on foliage during pre-flowering and pod formation stages (measuring 67.34 and 64.66 mg of zinc per kg, and 76.81 and 80.52mg of iron per kg of grain respectively). Thus, it can be said that these techniques enhance the nutritional content in lentil grains, consequently offering a potential solution to mitigate micronutrient (zinc and iron) malnutrition in human populations.ThesisItem Open Access ZINC FORTIFICATION OF FODDER OAT WITH DIFFERENT METHODS OF APPLICATION(RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) MANSINGH, BARSHA; Nanda, GangadharTo investigate the impact of zinc fortification on fodder oat, a field experiment was conducted in Rabi season of 2022-23 at the Cattle farm, “Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar”. The research was carried out using randomized block design with twelve treatments and three replications. Treatments taken were control (T1), soil application of 5, 7.5 and 10 kg Zn/ha (T2-T4), spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 solution at 50 and 70 DAS (T5), soil application of 5,7.5 and 10 kg Zn/ha + foliar spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% at 50 and 70 DAS (T6-T8), spray of EDTA-Zn @0.5% at 50 and 70 DAS (T9) and soil application of 5, 7.5 and 10 kg Zn/ha along with foliar spray of 0.5% EDTA-Zn at 50 and 70 DAS (T10-T12). The result of the experiment revealed that Zn application had substantial effect on growth and yield parameters. Treatment involving application of Zn at 10 kg/ha to the soil with two foliar sprays of 0.5% ZnSO4 each at 50 and 70 DAS (T8) recorded highest values in all the growth attributing characters that were recorded during growth stages i.e. 30 DAS, 60 DAS as well as at harvest. Also, the highest green and dry fodder yield (38.92 and 9.81 t/ha, respectively) and production efficiency in terms of both GFY and DFY was noted in T8. The highest N, P, K (155.84, 15.74, 147.1 kg/ha) and Zn (448.4 g/ha) uptake was noticed while applying Zn to the soil at 10 kg/ha with two sprays of 0.5% ZnSO4 solution to the foliage each at 50 and 70 DAS (T8) whereas, N and Zn content had significant effect among the treatments but non-significant effect among the treatments was noticed for P and K content. Applying 10 kg Zn/ha to the soil coupled with two sprays of 0.5% ZnSO4 solution to the foliage at 50 and 70 DAS (T8) gave the highest crude protein yield (0.97 t/ha) and content (9.91%). Among treatments, applying 10 kg Zn/ha to the soil coupled with two sprays of 0.5% ZnSO4 solution to the foliage at 50 and 70 DAS (T8) achieved the highest gross returns (`77833/ ha), net returns (`36101/ ha) but the highest B:C ratio (1.90) was found by applying 5.0 kg Zn/ha to the soil coupled with two sprays of 0.5% ZnSO4 solution to the foliage at 50 and 70 DAS (T6). From the experiment it was clarified that zinc fortification significantly influences the growth attributes, yield, nutrient content and uptake, quality parameters and economics of fodders oat. Both the soil and foliar application had the positive impact on the above parameters and it was clear that soil application of Zn at 10 kg/ha with two sprays of ZnSO4 at 0.5% to foliage each at 50 and 70 DAS (T8) was the best treatment.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF MICRO ENVIRONMENTS ON YIELD ATTRIBUTES AND YIELD OF PROMINENT WHEAT VARIETIES OF BIHAR(RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) PAL, ARPITA; JHA, RATNESH KUMARA research trial on "EFFECT OF MICRO ENVIRONMENTS ON YIELD ATTRIBUTES AND YIELD OF PROMINENT WHEAT VARIETIES OF BIHAR" was carried out in the Rabi season of 2022–2023, at the research farm, DR. RPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar (India). The experimental design utilized a split-plot arrangement, incorporating five distinct sowing dates in the primary division i.e. main plot and three varieties in the secondary division i.e. subplot, and three replications of each treatment. The five dates of sowing were D₁:7th November, D₂: 17th November, D₃: 27th November D₄: 7th December and D5: 17th December and three varieties i.e. V₁: HD 2967, V₂: DBW 187 and V₃: Rajendra Genhu-3. Five sowing dates reflect various wheat-growing micro-environments that are imposed by distinct sowing dates that cover the whole sowing window. The primary objectives were to examine the effects of microenvironments on wheat production and productivity. Additionally, to determine the ideal sowing window for wheat cultivation under the changing climate. Last but not least, economics were assessed based on various sowing dates and varieties. The combined impact of D₂V₁ i.e. HD 2967 sown on 17th November resulted to have maximum growth in terms of plant height, no. of tillers/m2, dry matter accumulation, CGR etc. Thereby, resulted in gross returns (108034 `/ha), net returns (66750 `/ha) and benefit : cost ratio (2.62) followed by D₁V₁ i.e. HD 2967 sown on 7th November and D₂V₂ i.e. DBW 187 sown on 17th November . However treatment combination D5V₁ i.e. HD 2967 sown on 17th December recorded lowest gross returns (74310 `/ha), net returns (33026 `/ha) and benefit : cost ratio (1.8). On the other side, in case of late sowing Rajendra Genhu-3 outperformed than the other two varieties in both growth and yield characteristics. This study suggests that the optimum sowing window for wheat cultivation is 17th November followed by 7th November and HD 2967 can be chosen for higher yield and productivity followed by DBW 187. And lastly, for late sowing purpose Rajendra Genhu-3 can be recommendable.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF WEED MANAGEMENT AND INTERCROPPING ON GROWTH, YIELD AND WEED DYNAMICS OF CHICKPEA UNDER CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum L.) + CORIANDER (Coriandrum sativum L.) INTERCROPPING SYSTEM(RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) BARUAH, APURBA; Kishor, KaushalA field experiment was conducted at Dhab area farm, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar during the rabi season of 2022-23 to study the “Effect of weed management and intercropping on growth, yield and weed dynamics of Chickpea under Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) + Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) intercropping system”. The experiment was laid out in SPD (Split plot design) replicated thrice with four main-plot and four sub-plot treatments. The soil of experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, calcareous in nature with pH of 8.23, EC 0.233 dS/m, low in organic carbon (0.37 %), low in available nitrogen (241.4 kg/ha), medium in available phosphorous (18.5 kg/ha) and low in available potassium (116.5 kg/ha). Intercropping of chickpea and coriander was done in main plot in different cropping ratios viz., sole chickpea (M1), chickpea + coriander 3:1 (M2), chickpea + coriander 4:2 (M3) and chickpea + coriander 5:2 (M4). In sub plot, weed management practices were done viz., application of pendimethalin 33% @ 1000 g/ha as PE (S1), pendimethalin 33% @ 1000 g/ha as PE fb one hand weeding at 30 DAS (S2), two hand weeding at 30 and 50 DAS (S3) and weedy check (S4). Effect of intercropping had no significant difference in the plant height of chickpea but, weed management practices recorded significant differences in plant height. Highest plant height of chickpea was recorded in S2- Pendimethalin 33% @ 1000 g/ha as PE fb one hoeing at 30 DAS (15.1 cm) and 60 DAS (28.1 cm) and at 90 DAS and harvest maximum plant height were recorded in S¬¬3- Two hoeing at 30 and 50 DAS (41.4 and 44.6 cm) respectively. M2- Chickpea + coriander (3:1) recorded maximum dry weight accumulation in chickpea at all the stages (0-30 DAS, 30-60 DAS, 60-90 DAS and 90 DAS-harvest) and S1- Pendimethalin 33% @ 1000 g/ha as PE recorded significantly maximum dry weight at 30 DAS which remained at par with S2-pendimethalin 33% @ 1000 g/ha as PE fb one hoeing at 60 DAS and S3-two hoeing at 30 and 50 DAS at 90 DAS and harvest. S2- Pendimethalin 33% @ 1000 g/ha as PE fb one hoeing at 30 DAS recorded significantly highest number of primary as well as secondary branches at 30 DAS whereas, maximum branches (primary and secondary) at 60 DAS were registered by S3-Two hoeing at 30 and 50 DAS. M3- Chickpea + coriander (4:2) recorded significantly higher number of secondary branches at 60 DAS. There were no significant differences found in the number of nodules developed at 60 DAS on chickpea. M2- Chickpea + coriander (3:1) recorded significantly higher crop growth rate (CGR) at all the stages whereas S1-Pendimethalin @1000 g/ha as PE registered maximum CGR at 0-30 DAS and S3- Two hoeing at 30 and 50 DAS registered maximum CGR at 30-60 DAS, 60-90 DAS and 90-harvest. Significantly higher relative growth rate (RGR) was recorded in S3-Two hoeing at 30 and 50 DAS for 30-60 DAS. Intercropping patterns at all stages and weed management practices at 0-30, 60-90 and 90 DAS- harvest had no significant effect in the RGR of chickpea plant. The effect of intercropping was not significant for pods/plant, seeds/pod and seed index whereas weed management practices only impart significant difference for pods/plant. S3- Two hoeing at 30 and 50 DAS recorded maximum pods/plant. M1- Sole chickpea and S3-Two hoeing at 30 and 50 DAS significantly influenced as well as recorded maximum seed yield (1,328 kg/ha) and, stover yield (2,061 kg/ha) and harvest index was not significantly influenced by row ratio and weed control treatments. Weed density was significantly different weed management practices. Lowest densities of grasses (35.52 and 26.57 no./m2) sedges (5.52 and 5.20 no./m2) and broadleaf weeds (20.70 and 18.68 no./m2) at 30 and 50 DAS was recorded in M2¬¬- Chickpea+ coriander (3:1) and S2- Pendimethalin 33% @ 1000 g/ha as PE fb one hoeing at 30 DAS recorded significantly lower weed density of grasses and sedges (25.19 and 3.58 no./m2) respectively among the weed management practices. M2- Chickpea + coriander (3:1) recorded significantly lower weed dry weight at both 30 (27.01 g/m2) and 50 DAS (31.67 g/m2) and S2- Pendimethalin 33% @ 1000 g/ha as PE fb one hoeing at 30 DAS among the weed management practices at 30 and 50 DAS (24.41 and 12.64 g/m2). Weed control efficiency (WCE) was significantly influenced by both, intercropping and weed management practices. M4- Chickpea + coriander (5:2) and M2- Chickpea + coriander (3:1) recorded maximum WCE at 30 and 50 DAS (16.35 % and 49.81 %) and S2- Pendimethalin 33% @ 1000 g/ha as PE and one hoeing at 30 and 50 DAS successfully registered maximum WCE and 30 and 50 DAS (26.97 % and 80.65 %). Analysis of nutrients (N, P and K) depleted by weeds revealed that weeds in M2- Chickpea + coriander (3:1) and S3- Two hoeing significantly reduced nutrients getting depleted by the weeds. Economics at different treatments clearly indicated that M3- Chickpea + coriander 4:2 exhibited significantly higher gross returns (₹ 92,702/ha), net returns (₹ 57,123/ha) and B:C ratio (1.58) among the intercropping patterns. With regards to weed management practices, two hoeing at 30 and 50 DAS registered significantly higher gross returns (₹ 1,05,928/ha), whereas S2- Pendimethalin 33% @ 1000 g/ha as PE fb one hoeing at 30 DAS registered significantly highest net returns (₹ 79,858/ha) as well as highest B: C ratio (1.89).ThesisItem Open Access Effect of Brown Manuring along with varying combination of Fe, Zn and Nano Urea on Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) under Rice – Wheat Cropping System(RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) BARALA, VIJESH KUMAR; Srivastava, Rajeev KumarThe research-work was conducted in the kharif and rabi season of 2022- 23 at Research-Farm RPCAU-Pusa, Bihar to study the “Effect of Brown Manuring along with varying combination of Fe, Zn and Nano Urea on Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) under Rice–Wheat Cropping System”. The experimental soil was a sandy-loam and had a low SOC (0.40%), low availability of N (211 kg ha-1) and K (110 kg ha-1), medium availability of P (11.0 kg ha-1), and pH was found in alkaline range i.e., 8.81. The major three objectives of current research work viz., to study the effect of Brown manuring along with varying combination of Fe, Zn and nano urea on growth and yield of DSR and its residual effect on Wheat under Rice-Wheat cropping system; to evaluate the performance of Brown manuring along with varying combination of Fe, Zn and Nano urea on physiological parameters and nutrient uptake of DSR under Rice-Wheat cropping system; to work out the economics. The current field study was done on Rice (DSR)-wheat cropping system with eight varying nutrient management strategies, which being administered in rice component crop only (variety: Rajendra Bhagwati) and data was also recorded for wheat (variety, DBW-252) besides rice in order to find the residual effect of different treatment in rice on succeeding component crop (wheat) to observe residual effect. The treatment details are mentioned here T1: 100% Recommended Dose of Nitrogen (RDN), T2: 100% RDN + Brown Manuring (BM), T3: 50% RDN + two foliar application of Nano Urea @ 0.4% at 25 & 55 DAS (Days After Sowing), T4: 50% RDN + two foliar application of Nano Urea @0.4% at 25 & 55 DAS + one foliar spray of FeSO4 @1% + ZnSO4 @0.5%, T5: 50% RDN + two spray of FeSO4 @1% & ZnSO4 @0.5%, T6: 50% RDN + BM + two foliar application of Nano Urea @0.4 % at 25 & 55 DAS, T7: 50% RDN+ BM + two foliar application of Nano Urea @0.4 % at 25 & 55 DAS + one foliar spray of FeSO4 @1% + ZnSO4 @0.5%, T8: 50% RDN + BM +two spray of FeSO4 @ 1% & ZnSO4 @ 0.5%. Whatever data generated for rice and wheat component crops were analysed by suitable statistical design i.e., Randomised Block Design (RBD) and experimental variables under study was randomised in replication block as well as replicated thrice. Recommended Dose of P and K was applied invariably in all different treatments. The one-year investigation revealed that application of 50% RDN+ BM + two foliar application of Nano Urea @0.4% at 25 & 55 DAS + one foliar spray of FeSO4 @1% + ZnSO4 @0.5% (T7) was found best in respect to almost all growth and yield attributing characters including plant height (cm), dry matter accumulation (g m-2), crop growth rate (g m-2 d-1), tiller numbers m-2, leaf count m-2, biomass partitioning (leaf, culm and panicle hill-1 g-1), canopy cover etc., as well as yield attributes (no. of panicle m-2, panicle length in cm and no. of grains panicle-1) & yields of rice and this treatment was found significantly better than 50% RDN + two foliar application of Nano Urea @ 0.4% at 25 & 55 DAS (T4) and over the rest treatments also. It means application of nano-urea along with the Fe, Zn and BM resulted in markedly higher growth and yield comparing to RDN only in the direct seeded rice. In following wheat crop, the significant effect of brown manuring being administered in rice crop (previous crop) had been observed, which showed residual effect BM applied in rice crop on succeeding crop wheat. The best growth and yield results including plant height (cm), DMA (Dry Matter Accumulation - gm-2), tiller numbers m-2, leaf count m-2, yield attributes (no. of spike m-2, spike length-cm, no. of spikelet spike-1 and no. of grains spike-1) and yields (grain and straw) of rice was found in T7 that involved the application of 50% RDN+ BM + two foliar application of Nano Urea @0.4 % at 25 & 55 DAS + one foliar spray of FeSO4 @1% + ZnSO4 @0.5% and this treatment was statistically at par with the other three treatments that had good crop growth in the previous crop and had brown manure. Regarding nutrient content in plants, it was found that application nano-N considerably changed the N content (%) of rice's grain and straw. However, there were no any significant differences between plants' P and K contents. T7 shows maximum content of N (nitrogen-%) and this was significantly higher than T4. After harvest of rice, from the soil nutrient (fertility) point of view, the OC (organic carbon) and nitrogen were found markedly higher in T7, T8, T2 and T6 as these all treatments had brown manuring. Maximum OC and N were found by the application of 50% RDN+ BM + two foliar application of Nano Urea @0.4 % at 25 & 55 DAS + one foliar spray of FeSO4 @1% + ZnSO4 @0.5%, which was markedly higher as compared to 100% RDN (T1) and other non-BM treatments. Under rice (DSR)-wheat cropping system approach, it was noted that the application of 50% RDN+ BM + two foliar application of nano urea @0.4 % at 25 & 55 DAS + one foliar spray of FeSO4 @1% + ZnSO4 @0.5% (T7¬) resulted in the maximum values of gross returns (Rs. 263099 ha-1), net returns (Rs. 177093 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.06). It can be inferred from this investigation that the application of 50% RDN+ BM + two foliar application of Nano Urea @0.4 % at 25 & 55 DAS + one foliar spray of FeSO4 @1% + ZnSO4 @0.5% resulted maximum growth, yield, and economics of the rice cultivation, and the residual efficacy of brown manuring and the application of RDF dose in wheat gave maximum growth and yield. Finally, the overall economics of the system was lucidly increased and showed its marked economic viability.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of irrigation methods and nitrogen application on yield and nitrogen use efficiency of winter maize(RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) KUMAWAT, GANPAT LAL; KUMAR, MUKESHThe present investigation entitled “Impact of irrigation methods and nitrogen application on yield and nitrogen use efficiency of winter maize” was studied in Rabi 2022-23 in the Pusa farm of Dr. Rajendra prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), Bihar to find out effect of irrigation methods and nitrogen application rate on productivity, nitrogen use efficiency of Rabi maize. The trial was laid out in split plot design with two irrigation methods consist viz., I1- Flood irrigation, I2- Furrow irrigation in main plot and four N-fertilizer rates viz., F0- Control, F1- RDF (150-75-50), STCR (180-52-23) and Farmers’ practice (200-75-50) in sub-plot treatments with replicated thrice. Among irrigation practices, Furrow irrigation recorded higher maize height, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, leaf area index compared to flood irrigation method. Among N application rate option, use of 200:75:50 N: P2O: K2O obtained significantly higher maize height, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate and leaf area index. The yield of rabi maize (10 t/ha), biological yield (21 t/ha) were highest in furrow irrigation method with use of N: P2O: K2O @ 200:75:50 kg/ha but the interaction between them was found non-significant and they were at par with flood irrigation with @ 200:75:50 kg/ha and furrow irrigation with STCR 180-52-23: N: P2O: K2O kg/ha. Consequently, higher nitrogen use efficiency (42 kg/kg) was achieved from furrow irrigation with 200 kg N/ha fertiliser dose (I2F3). The ammonium and nitrate concentration were higher in flood irrigation at 3, 10 days after irrigation and fertiliser application (200:75:50 kg/ha) in soil depths of 15 and 30 cm. Furrow irrigation with combination of N doses of 200 kg N/ha had the highest cost of cultivation (`64296/ha), Gross return (`216796/ha) and net return (`152500/ha). Whereas the benefit cost ratio (2.42) was the highest in furrow irrigation applied with 200 kg N/ha treatments. From the present study it may be concluded that furrow irrigation with N: P2O: K2O dosages at the rate of 200: 75: 50 kg /ha had higher grain yield, stover yield, biological yield, however, it was at par with furrow irrigation with STCR 180-52-23: of N: P2O: K2O kg/ha. Nitrogen use efficiency was significantly higher in furrow irrigation and ammonium and nitrate leaching was the highest in flood irrigation with 200 kg N/ha. The net return, gross return and B:C ratio of rabi maize was recorded to be higher furrow irrigation with N: P2O: K2O dosages at the rate of 200: 75: 50 kg /ha. Key words: Nitrogen, Winter Maize, Ammonium, Nitrate, Yield, furrow irrigationThesisItem Open Access Effect of nutrient omission on wheat growth, yield, nutrient uptake and photo-thermal indices under late sown conditions(RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) BAIRWA, ROOPNARAYAN; Rana, LalitaA field experiment was conducted in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in rabi season at Experimental farm of the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University in Pusa, Bihar during 2022-23. Among the agronomic factors, sowing date and nutrients also play important role in field crops such as wheat which influence the plants growth stages, especially vegetative and reproductive stage. Any delay leads to substantial decrease in wheat productivity. Under Bihar conditions, optimum wheat sowing time is second forthnight of November but due to late harvesting of kharif crop (rice), there is delay in sowing of wheat. In this situation, there is only option that we have to go for late sowing of wheat. However, late sown wheat faces terminal heat stress leads to decline in wheat productivity. Late sowing also limits the fertilizer response which is also important factor responsible for obtaining higher yield. In the nutrient limited conditions, productivity of wheat can be affected. So, there is a need to determine the optimum sowing time at which wheat can be grow without any reduction in yield under late-sown conditions. Keeping this view, field experiment entitled “Effect of nutrient omission on wheat growth, yield, nutrient uptake, and photo-thermal indices under late sown conditions’’ was implemented with the objectives to evaluate the effect of sowing date on growth, yield and photo-thermal indices in wheat and to analyze the soil and plant nutrients at different growth stages of wheat and economics of different treatments. The experiment had 10 treatments, laid out in split plot design with three replications. Main plot treatments comprised two sowing date (December 1 and December 21) and five (05) sub-plot treatments (100% NPK, 100 % PK (N omission), 100% KN (P omission), 100% NP (K omission) and absolute control. Growth attributes was significantly affected by the sowing date factor. Crop sown at December 1 were produced taller plants as compared to December 21 sown crops at all growth phases. Plant height, no. of tiller m-2 and dry matter accumulation (DMA), crop growth rate (CGR) increased with the advancement of crop growth and developmental stages. However, there was no differences in these growth parameters was observed at 30 DAS while significant effect was exerted by the sowing date factor at 60, 90 and at harvest. At maturity, maximum plant height (83.5 cm), no. of tiller m-2 (246), DMA (880 g m-2) and CGR 13.3 g m-2 day-1) was found when sown at Dec.1 compared to Dec.21 sown wheat. At harvest, it was increased by 18.6, 18.8 41.5 and 41.3 %. Nutrients factor significantly impacted these growth attributes. Plots receiving 100 % NPK produced tallest plant in comparison to plots not receiving any source of fertilizer and being statistically similar with 100 % PK, 100 %KN. At December 21 sowing date, there is significant reduction in leaf area index (1.41 and 1.94) at 60 and 90 DAS respectively was observed as compared to December 1 sown crop. Markedly decline in wheat yield parameters and yield due to very late sown crop (Dec.21) observed over Dec.1 sown plants which is accounting 28.3, 30, 9.6 ,4.8 ,44.3 and 37.5 % in number of effective tillers, spike length, no. of grain per ear, grain and straw yield respectively. Nutrient’s factor influenced grain yield significantly and maximum values observed with 100 % NPK compared to absolute control and being statistically at par with 100% NK (P omission) and 100 % NP (K omission). While substantial decline was found in 100 % PK (N omitted plots) and it was to the tune of 50.9 % reduction in grain yield due to N omissions during the experiment as nitrogen is very important nutrient for plant growth and development throughout the period. N continued to be the most limiting nutrient followed by P and K. Growing degree days (GDD), helio-thermal unit (HTU), photo-thermal unit (PTU) significantly affected by the sowing date factor from sowing to tillering and tillering to flowering stage then after there were non-significant effect on GDD, HTU and PTU at flowering to milking and milking to maturity stage while pheno-thermal index (PTI) remains unaffected by both factors. Significantly higher GDD (615 and 11800C day), HTU (1878 and 52800C day hour) and PTU (6561 and 130350C day hour) was found when sown at Dec.1 at sowing to tillering and tillering to flowering respectively. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium availability did not significantly influence by sowing date factor. However, significant effect was exerted by nutrients factors on NPK availability. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in soil was found significantly higher with 100 % NPK compared to compared plot and being statistically at par with 100% KN, 100% NP applied plots. In comparison to the control plot, the 100% NPK treatment resulted in 21.9, 23.9, 25.9, and 25.7 % more available N in soil at 30, 60, and 90 DAS, as well as at harvest, whereas the 100% NPK treatment resulted in 30.3, 38.0, 44.3, and 49.3 % more available P in soil at 30, 60, and 90 DAS, as well as at harvest. Plots treated with 100% NPK had 35.7, 44.6, 47.8, and 51.7 % more accessible K2O than the absolute control plots. The N, P, and K uptake in plant was higher in 1 December sowing, and the uptake was increasing towards maturity. In comparison to the absolute control plots, 100% NPK plots showed 42.5, 64.9, and 67.5 % greater N uptake in plant at 30, 60, and 90 DAS, respectively. As well as P uptake, was also higher with 100% NPK, which was 46, 69.7, and 66.5% over the control plot at 30, 60, and 90 DAS, respectively. The use of 100% NPK resulted in much higher K uptake in plant than the other treatment. However, at 30, 60, and 90 DAS, it resulted in 37.8, 63.2, and 66.3% higher K uptake in plant than the control plot, respectively. The N, P, and K uptake in grain and straw was higher in 1 December sowing than in 21 December sown crops, accounting for 25.6, 29.8, and 20.8% in grain and 21.5, 2.8, and 23.7 % in straw, respectively. While 100% NPK applied plot had higher NPK uptake in grain and straw compare to control plot, it accounting 69.2, 69.2, 60.9 % in grain and 72.6, 63.9, 60.7% in straw respectively. Highest net profit of ₹ 53492 ha-1 and B: C ratio 1.39 was earned when sown at Dec.1 compared to Dec.21 in wheat during the experimental period. Thus, from the results, we can conclude that upto Dec.1 sowing of wheat is appropriate. Beyond this date, there is significant reduction in wheat productivity and nutrient limited conditions will also led to poor growth and development of the crop resulting into substantial decline in yield.
