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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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Subject: Entomology × End date: 2017 × Start date: 2017 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Foraging behavior of Xylocopa fenestrata Fab. and its role in pollination of ridge gourd, Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) gautam, Prem Prakash; Kumar, Neeraj
    The present studies on “Foraging behavior of Xylocopa fenestrata Fab. and its role in pollination of ridge gourd, Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.” was carried out during the year 2016-17 at University Apiary, DRPCAU, Pusa. Objectives of this investigation were to study the relative abundance of insect pollinators, foraging behaviour of Xylocopa fenestrata, and its effect on pollination of ridge gourd. The results indicated that the total eight insect species visited ridge gourd flowers, viz. five hymenopterans, two dipterans and one from odonata. Among these Apis mellifera L., A. dorsata F., A. florea F., Xylocopa fenestrata F. and Polistes sp. were found to be most frequent pollinators. The relative abundance (no. of insect/m2/10 minutes) revealed that Apis mellifera (20.0) was most dominant species followed by Apis dorsata (16.7), Xylocopa fenestrata (15.9), Apis florea (11.3), Eristalinus sp. (6.3), Polistes sp. (5.1), Paragomphus sp. (2.9) and Musca domestica (2.0). Irrespective of species, the mean population was maximum (13.3/m2/10 minutes) at 0700-h of the day. The coefficient of correlation between mean population of pollinators species and temperature was found positive and significant while negative correlation was found with relative humidity indicating that temperature plays an important role on activity of insect pollinators. The result on foraging behaviour of X. fenestrata revealed that they started visiting ridge gourd flowers in early morning and ceased their activity later in the evening. It remained active throughout the flowering period. The foraging rate of X. fenestrata was minimum in the morning (3.9 flower/min.) and evening (3.2 flower/min.) hours and maximum during the mid day hours (7.3 flower/min.) and its foraging speed was maximum in morning (17.6 sec.) and evening (23.5sec.) whereas, minimum in mid day hours (11.1 sec.) and there was inverse relation between foraging rate and foraging speed. The heaviest pollen load was carried by the Xylocopa in the evening hour while lightest pollen load was carried in the noon hour which indicated that more pollen was collected by Xylocopa during morning and evening hours from ridge gourd flowers. The yields of fruit and seed of ridge gourd increased significantly by pollination of Xylocopa. The fruit set was highest in open pollination (78.70%) followed by Xylocopa pollination, viz. XP3 (72.20%), XP2 (63.60%) and XP1 (52.70%), whereas lowest in pollination exclusion (50.00%). The number of fruits per plant was maximum in OP (18.50) followed by XP3 (16.20), XP2 (14.00), XP1 (11.50) and was lowest in PE (10.00) treatments. Similarly, fruit weight was maximum in OP (85.60 g) followed by XP3 (80.50 g), XP2 (4.30 g), XP1 (70.10 g) and was lowest in PE (51.80 g). The fruit yield was maximum in OP (82.30 q/ha), followed by XP3, XP2 and XP1 (81.00, 75.50 and 73.60 q/ha, respectively) and the lowest in PE (60.20 q/ha). The result reflected that there was 36.80% increased in fruit yield in OP while, it was 34.50% in XP3, 25.30% in XP2 and 22.20% in XP1 treatment over pollination exclusion. The highest number of seed per fruit was found maximum in OP (27.00) followed by XP3 (25.50), XP2 (24.00), XP1 (22.20) and was lowest in PE (19.50) treatment. The weight of 100-seed was maximum in OP (15.20 g) followed by XP3 (13.10 g), XP2 (12.50 g), XP1 (11.00 g) and was lowest in PE (9.00 g). The percentage increment in seed yield was recorded highest in the OP (70.00%) followed by XP3 (50.00%), XP2 (30.00%) and XP1 (10.00%) over PE treatment. The insect pollinators play significant role in pollinating ridge gourd flowers and enhancing yield of crop. Therefore, Xylocopa fenestrata can be utilized for pollinating ridge gourd for increasing qualitative and quantitative parameters of the crop and therefore, higher monetary return.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) (Hemiptera Lophopidae) – Biology and resistance in sugarcane genotypes
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Kumari, Ranju; Chand, Hari
    Pyrilla perpusilla biology and resistance in sugarcane genotypes experiments were conducted during 2016-17. The biology of Pyrilla perpusilla was conducted in the laboratory in the Department of Entomology and the field experiment was laid out at Pusa Farm Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa to assess the resistance in different genotypes of sugarcane. Biology of pyrilla under laboratory condition revealed that the eggs were oval and laid in cluster on the under surface of leaves near midrib. Egg cluster length ranged from 12 to18 mm and covered with white fibrils of wax. Freshly laid eggs were white in colour and turning pale yellow prior to hatching. The incubation period were recorded 7 to 9 (8+ 0.4) days. Fecundity was recorded 600 to 800 with an average of 700 + 44.7. The per cent hatching of eggs ranged from 79.2 to 93 (86.1 ± 3.0) per cent. The nymph passed through five nymphal instars to complete the nymphal stage. Total nymphal period ranged from 38 to 56 (47 + 4) days. Nymphs were soft bodied possessing two anal filaments and they gradually increased in size and their colour also changed with an increase in size. Pyrilla perpusilla male and female adults both were almost similar only differ in their size and longevity. Female adults were found to be bigger and also longer longevity than male. Total life cycle of pyrilla from egg to adult was completed within a period of 71 to 99 days with an average of 85 + 6.2 days. The maximum (26/leaf) population of nymphs and adults of pyrilla were recorded on the genotype BO 130 followed by CoP 11438 (23.2/leaf), 23.0/leaf on BO 91 and 21.0/leaf population on CoP 9301 genotype which were highly susceptible based on grade scale, while three genotypes weremoderately susceptible (CoP 11436, CoLK 09204 and CoLK 12209) and remaining seven genotypes were less susceptible (CoP 11437, CoSe 11451, CoSe 95422, CoP 13438, CoP 13439, CoSe 13453 and CoSe 13454) among 14 selected sugarcane genotypes on the basis of nymph and adult population build-up. The absolute population of egg masses, nymphs and adults of pyrilla were noticed in the field from first fortnight of April to second fortnight of November, first fortnight of March to second fortnight of November and second fortnight of March to second fortnight of November, 2016, respectively. The peak population of egg masses (6.6/leaf) and nymph (5.3/leaf) were recorded in the second fortnight of August, 2016, while peak population of adult (21/leaf) was recorded in the first fortnight of August, 2016. The relationship between population of insect (egg, nymph and adult) and weather parameters showed highly significant positive correlation with maximum and minimum temperature i.e. temperature increased the corresponding population of insect also increased. Remaining weather facters(relative humidity at 07 and 14 hrs and rainfall) showed non-significant correlation with population of pyrilla. Various physio-morphic plant-characters(leaf width, leaf length, leaf spines density, cane length, cane diameter)were determined from the fourteen selected genotypes in a view to ascertain the role of these factors towards the resistance/susceptibility against the pest.The leaf-spine density showed highly significant negative correlation with population (egg masses, nymph and adult) of the insect whereas, leaf -width and leaf-length showed highly significant positive correlation. It is clearly indicated that thesugarcane varieties having less leaf spine density;longer and wider leaves are more susceptible for pyrilla population build-up.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Seasonal incidence and control of maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) through newer insecticides on maize in Bihar
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Kumar, Ram; Alam, Tanweer
    In order to study the seasonal incidence and control of maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) through pest monitoring, screening of different maize genotypes and relative efficacy of insecticides, a series of field experiments were conducted during Kharif 2016 at the research farm, Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Muzaffarapur, (Bihar). Results pertaining to different aspects of the present study viz., seasonal incidence, screening of different maize genotypes and foliar spray as well as granular application of insecticides applied against maize stem borer on maize crop have been abstracted below: The activity of maize stem borer on maize commenced from 33rd standard week (2nd week of August, 2016) and continued to 44th standard week (4th week of October, 2016) with maximum maize stem borer population (2.4 larvae/plant) in the 38th standard week (2nd week of September, 2016) when the corresponding maximum, minimum temperature (oC), relative humidity (%) at 07 hrs and 14 hrs, rainfall (mm) and sunshine (hr) were 30.7, 25.4, 98.0, 86.7, 22.2 and 3.5, respectively. The per cent infestation has been initially observed in 33rd standard week (2nd week of August, 2016) and continued to 44th standard week (4th week of October, 2016) with maximum per cent infestation of 32.0 per cent during 38th standard week (2nd week of September, 2016) when the corresponding maximum, minimum temperature (oC), relative humidity (%) at 07 hrs and 14 hrs, rainfall (mm) and sunshine (hr) were 30.7, 25.4, 98.0, 86.7, 22.2 and 3.5, respectively. Among all the genotypes screened against Chilo partellus under artificial infestation condition, IIMRQPMH 1608, FQH 106 and IIMRQPMH 1606 were found least susceptible in respect to mean per cent infestation, mean leaf injury, mean per cent stem tunnelling, mean tunnel length and mean number of exit holes/plant; while the genotypes IIMRQPMH 1604, IIMRQPMH 1502 and IIMRQPMH 1610 were found susceptible. All the insecticidal treatments under test, were found significantly superior over control, however the treatment Chlorantraniliprole 20 SC followed by Carbofuran 3G was found to be the most effective and was statistically at par with Flubendiamide 480 SC followed by Carbofuran 3G. The foliar application in sequence with whorl application of Carbofuran was found to be more effective than foliar applications alone. The crop protection measures applied against maize stem borer, Chilo partellus proved profitable as indicated by B: C ratio.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Population Dynamics of Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and its Management on Tomato
    (Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Jha, Sudeepa Kumari; Kumar, Manoj
    Population dynamics of whitefly, Bemisia tabaci and its management through use of insecticides - profenophos @ 500 g a.i. ha-1, imidacloprid @ 20 g a.i. ha-1, cypermethrin @ 25 g a.i. ha-1, indoxacarb @ 50 g a.i. ha-1, profenophos (40 %) + cypermethrin (4%) @ 440 g a.i. ha-1, neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5 %, neem oil 2 %, tobacco decoction 5 % and yam bean seed extract (YBSE) 5 % in tomato variety ‘Avinash – 2’ was studied at Vegetable Research Farm of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa during Rabi 2016-17. Peak population (42.4 per three leaves) of whitefly was observed on 70th day after transplanting. Temperature (max. and min.) and sunshine (hrs) had a negative significant correlation, while morning and evening relative humidity had a positive significant correlation but wind speed had non- significant positive correlation. The correlation coefficient (r) was computed for max. Temperature (-0.481), min. temperature (-0.483), morning relative humidity (0.514), evening relative humidity (0.483), wind speed (0.007) and sunshine hrs (-0.641), respectively. The weather parameters were found to contribute around 55.70 per cent impact on population of Bemisia tabaci when acted together (R2 = 0.5570). The mean per cent reduction in whitefly population over control after first, fifth and seventh day of 1st, 2nd and 3rd spray of insecticides was maximum in imidacloprid @ 20 g a.i. ha-1 (47.41 %, 81.03 % and 88.14 %, respectively) followed by profenophos 40 % + cypermethrin 4% @ 440 g a.i. ha-1 (42.20, 77.38 and 85.93 %, respectively). All the insecticidal treatments proved profitable over control and increase in yield varied from the maximum of 90 q ha-1 in imidacloprid (20 g a.i. ha-1) to the minimum of 48 q ha-1 in tobacco decoction 5 %. The benefit cost ratio was highest in imidacloprid @ 20 g a.i. ha-1 (22.69: 1) followed by cypermethrin @ 25 g a.i. ha-1 (17.21:1) and lowest in YBSE 5% (1.53: 1).