Loading...
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.
Browse
12 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND DIVERSITY OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES IN NORTH BIHAR(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) CHURENDRA, DIVYA; Keshari, NishiA random survey was conducted, between November, 2021 to April, 2022 to isolate the population of entomopathogenic nematodes. A total of 100 soil samples were gathered from diverse habitats, including the Dholi campus and the village of Muraul in Bihar. Entomophilic nematodes were found in five positive samples. The total frequency of occurrence of 5 %, recorded with Dholi having the highest frequency (10 %) and Muraul village with lowest incidence (0 %). The species identification was verified by morphological and molecular characterization. The ITS region of rDNA was used to characterise the molecules. The DNA sequences were submitted to GenBank, and an accession number was received. The nematode was identified as Acrobeloides spp. using phylogenetic and molecular analysis. The scope of research in this area will open avenues and revealation about these nematode species to suffice both the regions' population and the research.ThesisItem Open Access BIOMANAGEMENT OF ROOT KNOT NEMATODE, Meloidogyne incognita IN CORIANDER(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) SARITHA, MUDIGIRI; Singh, Uma ShankarCoriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is an important annual herbaceous plant (2n=22), which belongs to the family Apiaceae and generally grown in winter season as the main crop in India (Singh and Verma, 2015). Coriander can be successfully grown, although there are significant obstacles posed by pests and pathogens. Coriander yield losses from these Meloidogyne spp. are expected to be 60% under protected cultivation (Reddy, 2008). In order to reduce the losses brought on by the root knot nematode, an effort was made to undertake a pot culture experiment in the net house of the AICRP Vegetables Department of Nematology, PG College of Agriculture, RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar to evaluate the environmentally friendly management of root knot nematode, through organic amendments such as Neem cake, Mustard cake, Castor cake, and Pongamia cake along with the biocontrol capacity of Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Paecilomyces lilacinus & Pochonia chlamydosporia on growth of Coriander variety Rajendra Swathi and multiplication of Meloidogyne incognita. The experiment was conducted using a Completely randomized design with 12 treatments and three replications. The highest growth of coriander was seen under T1 (soil application of Neem cake @ 10 g/pot at 7 days before seed sowing), with the least amount of root knot nematode multiplication. However, alternate treatments consisting of a single application of organic amendment and a combined application were just as successful in notably improving plant growth and lowering nematode infection. In comparison to the untreated check, the treatment with Neem cake @ 10 g/pot resulted in 100% increase in plant height, 97.16% increase in root length, 105% increase in fresh root weight, 92% increase in fresh shoot weight, and 75% increase in yield. In comparison to the untreated check, host infection was reduced by 104 percent, 58 percent, and 65 percent in terms of no of galls, egg masses, nematode population in soil, and root. The bio-control agents viz Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Paecilomyces lilacinus & Pochonia chlamydosporia either singly or in combined application shown significant improvement in plant growth and development and in declining nematode population. The T3 (Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10 g/pot) was determined to be the most efficacious. However, chemically treated plants with carbofuran 3G @ 5g/pot had the lowest nematode population, number of galls/plant and Reproduction factor (Rf). In comparison to the untreated check, the treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10 g/pot resulted in 84% increase in plant height, 94% increase in root length, 109% increase in fresh root weight, 106% increase in fresh shoot weight, and 66% increase in yield. In comparison to the untreated check, host infection was reduced by 72 percent, 56 percent, and 60 percent in terms of no of galls, egg masses, nematode population in soil, and root. The results of this investigation showed that using bio-control agents and organic amendments was more efficient at lowering the population of M. incognita. The study found that the effects of organic amendments and biocontrol agents were equivalent to those of carbofuran 3G. Therefore, bio agents other than nematicides can be applied.ThesisItem Open Access INCIDENCE AND BIO-CONTROL OF ROOT KNOT NEMATODE, Meloidogyne incognita INFESTING FIELD PEA(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2021) SHRAVANI, VYAMASANI; Singh, Uma ShankarField pea, Pisum sativum var. arvense belongs to family Leguminosae is an annual cool season grain legume and one of the most versatile crop for being extensively used as human consumption, livestock feed, fresh or canned vegetable. Meloidogyne incognita has been identified as a major impediment in effective field pea production. It is the most damaging, accounting for 40-45 percent of pea losses. According to a survey done in several districts of Bihar, M. incognita has been found to infect field pea crops in all of the locations. The greatest prevalence of M. incognita was found in the Birauli Khurd (974) locale, while the lowest was found in the Pusa Mahamadpur Deopar (442). Other plant parasitic genera found in the rhizosphere of field pea crops were M. javanica, Rotylenchulus spp., Haplolaimus spp., and Helicotylenchus spp. The mean root knot index (RKI) was 4 on a scale of 1 to 5, suggesting that field pea plants planted in all areas were susceptible to the root knot nematode M. incognita, according to Hartman and Sasser (1985). According to life cycle studies, J2 of M. incognita was infective juvenile stage (IJ) and penetration begins at the zone of elongation of root tips within 72 hours of inoculation. At an average day temperature range of 9.3 to 21.1°C and RH of 94 percent, the life cycle of the southern root knot nematode in field pea was completed in 33-35 days. The bio-control agents viz. Glomus fasciculatum (85-90 spores/g), Trichoderma harzianum 1.0% WP (2×106 cfu/g), Pseudomonas fluorescens 1.0% WP (1×108 cfu/g), Paecilomyces lilacinus (Purpureocillium lilacinum) 1.0% WP (2×106 cfu/g) either singly or in combined application shown significant improvement in plant growth and development and in declining nematode population. The combined application of P. fluorescens 1.0% WP (1×108 cfu/g) and Purpureocillium lilacinum 1.0% WP (2×106 cfu/g) @ 10g/pot each was determined to be the most efficacious. However, chemically treated plants with Cartap hydrochloride 4G @ 5g/pot had the lowest nematode population, number of galls/plant and Reproduction factor (Rf). Paecilomyces lilacnius (Purpureocillium lilacinum) 1.0% WP (2×106 cfu/g) @ 10g/pot demonstrated promising effects in plants when just single bio-control agent was used. This study discovered that utilizing a mixture of bio-control agents was more effective than using biocontrol agents alone in reducing the population of M. incognita. According to the study, biocontrol agents had the same effects as Cartap hydrochloride 4G. As a result, bio-control agents can be used instead of nematicides.ThesisItem Open Access BIODIVERSITY AND BIOEFFICACY OF INDIGENOUS ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES IN BIHAR(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2021) MALLIKARJUN, GURRAM; Keshari, NishiTwo isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes, labelled DA-1 and OC-1, were isolated during survey conducted in Pusa Farm, RPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar using insect baiting technique. Morphological studies and molecular data confirmed these isolates as Steinernema abbasi and Oscheius sp., making this the first report of EPNs from Bihar. Bioefficacy experiments were conducted in laboratory to test the pathogenicity of the native EPN isolate, Steinernema abbasi at concentrations, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 IJs against five different instars of two lepidopterous pests viz., Tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura and Oriental armyworm, Mythimna seperata. The test inoculum of 1000 infective juveniles (IJs) / larva was most effective causing mortality of all instar larvae at 24 h. Nematode multiplication rate in insect cadaver was directly proportional to the size/ instar of larva. The 5th instar larva resulted in highest yield of IJs, followed by 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st instars larvae of both pests at all the inoculum levels used in the study. As these two isolates of EPNs are native to Pusa farm and have shown satisfactory bioefficacy potential, these can be exploited for the management of target crop insect pests of the region. However, further studies are required regarding their life cycle, host range, virulence potential and survival capacity under extreme environmental conditions.ThesisItem Open Access Incidence and Eco-friendly management of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita infesting carrot(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2021) BARMAN, DEBANJAN; Singh, Uma ShankarThe carrot (Daucus carota sub sp. sativus) is a root vegetable that can be purple, orange, red, white or yellowish. The tap root is the most widely consumed component of the plant, although the stems and leaves are also consumed. Vit-K and Vit-B6 are abundant in roots of carrot and it also contain a lot of beta carotene. Meloidogyne incognita, has been identified as a major impediment in effective carrot production. Annually, 20-25% loss is incurred due to Meloidogyne sp. infestation in carrot. According to a survey done in several areas of Samastipur district of Bihar, Meloidogyne sp. has been found to infect carrot crops in all of the locations. The greatest prevalence of was found in the Hi-tech horticulture, Pusa (1220), while the lowest was found in the Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI), Pusa (640). Other plant parasite genera found in the rhizosphere of carrot crops were Hoplolaimus sp., Helicotylenchus sp., Pratylenchus sp., Tylenchorhynchus sp., and Xiphinema sp. The mean root knot index (RKI) was 2.17 on a scale of 1 to 5, suggesting that carrot plants planted in all areas were moderately resistant to the root knot nematode (Meloidogyne sp.), according to Hartman and Sasser (1985). According to life cycle research, J2 of Meloidogyne incognita was infective juvenile stage and penetration begins in the zone of elongation of root tips within 24 hours of inoculation. At an average temperature range of 17°C to 20°C and a Relative Humidity of 94 percent, the life cycle of the southern root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in carrot was completed in 30 days. From the Meloidogyne incognita management study, suggesting that management with Neem leaves + Phyllanthus amarus leaves @ 100 +100 g / pot followed by Phyllanthus amarus leaves @ 100 g / pot enhanced characteristics of growth viz. Shoot length or plant height, root length, shoot weight (fresh and dry), root weight (fresh and dry), yield and effectively reduced the numbers of galls, juvenile population in soil. So, the management by using plant parts and extracts can be used by farmers for root knot nematode control, as it is an environmentally friendly, economically feasible method and had the same effects as Cartap hydrochloride 4G used.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE, Meloidogyne incognita INFESTING LENTIL CROP(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2022) H, Thanuja K; Singh, Uma ShankarLentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is one of the versatile rabi pulse crop and a member of the Leguminosae family. It is one of the utmost preferred legumes for the reason that it’s great regular protein content and also has cooking characteristics (Raghuvanshi & Singh, 2009). The root-knot nematode is a significant issue that destroys lentil crops severely all over the world. The experiment was assessed the pathogenicity of lentil crop at various inoculum levels, (10,100,1000,10000 J2/plant) revealed that the maximum shoot length was noted in uninoculated seedlings at 10 days of age is 36.2 cm (check) and the minimum shoot length was noted in the inoculated seedlings is 18.3 cm (10000 J2/kg soil). The largest number of galls per seedling 65.33 was recorded at an inoculum level of 10000 infective juveniles per kg of soil. Thus, it was determined that the 10 days old seedlings are more vulnerable than seedlings that are 20 days old, and regardless of the age of the plant, a 1000 J2 inoculum level soil was determined to be pathogenic in a per kg soil. A screening experiment was undertaken to identify a source of M. incognita, resistance to various cultivars of lentils. The Kotam-1 and Kotam-2 cultivars, followed by RVL-11-6, had the highest plant growth parameters among the sixteen cultivars, while local cultivars like L-4717 and L-4727 had the lowest plant growth parameters. The intent of the present experiment was to found the effectiveness of various organic additives & botanicals against Meloidogyne incognita. Neem cake and mustard cake were shown to be the most efficient at controlling the root-knot nematode. The mustard cake comes in second, as evidenced by all plant development indices. Neem cake @10% per pot clearly outperforms mustard cake in terms of plant growth indices for root-knot nematode management. Organic amendments were producing good outcomes as compared to botanicals.ThesisItem Open Access MANAGEMENT OF ROOT KNOT NEMATODE, Meloidogyne incognita ON CHICKPEA THROUGH BIOCONTROL AND BOTANICALS(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2022) LAL, GOWRI G.; Singh, Uma ShankarChickpea, (Cicer arietinum L.), also called garbanzo bean or Bengal gram is an annual plant of the pea family (Fabaceae), widely grown for its nutritious seeds. This is an important source of dietary protein, vitamins and some minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and iron), unsaturated fatty acids and fibre is extensively used as a protein adjunct to starch diets. Chickpea is considered the third most important pulse in the world, being widely grown in many subtropical and warm-temperate regions. India is the single largest producer of chickpea in the world, accounting for 65% (9.075 million tons) of the total production under chickpea (FAOSTAT, 2019). Chickpea is mainly grown in India as a rabi crop and is mainly cultivated Maharashtra, M.P., Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat. In India, the root-knot nematode is reported to reduce its yield from 17% to 60% depending on nematode inoculum density and soil types. The infestation of root knot nematodes is a serious problem world over and causes severe loss in chickpea crop (Bushra Rehman et al.,2012). Among species of the root knot nematode viz., Meloidogyne incognita is more prevalent in Bihar region. An effort was made to conduct a pot culture experiment in the net house of the AICRP Department of Nematology, PG College of Agriculture, RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar, in order to reduce the losses caused by the root knot nematode to evaluate the ecofriendly management of root knot nematode, through organic amendments such as Neem cake, Mustard cake, Castor cake and Pongamia cake along with the biocontrol agent of Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Purpureocillium lilacinum & Pochonia chlamydosporia on growth of chickpea variety BG 3043 and multiplication of Meloidogyne incognita. Three replications and 12 treatments were used in the experiment's completely randomised design. With the least amount of root knot nematode multiplication, chickpea However, alternate treatments consisting of a single application of organic amendment and a combined application were just as successful in notably improving plant growth and lowering nematode infestation. In comparison to the untreated check, the treatment with Neem cake @ 10 g/pot resulted in 99% increase in plant height, 93% increase in root length, 94% increase in fresh root weight, 95% increase in fresh shoot weight and 94 % increase in yield. In comparison to the untreated check, host infection was reduced by 88 percent, 68 percent, and 77 percent in terms of the quantity of galls, egg masses, nematode population in soil and root grew the fastest under T1 (soil treatment of neem cake @ 10 g/pot at 7 days before seed sowing). The bio-control agents viz Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Purpureocillium lilacinum and Pochonia chlamydosporia either singly or in combined application shown significant improvement in plant growth and development and in declining nematode population. The T4 (P. lilacinum @ 10 g/pot) was determined to be the most efficacious. However, chemically treated plants with Cartap hydrochloride @ 5g/pot had the lowest nematode population, number of galls/plant and Reproduction factor (Rf). In comparison to the untreated check, the treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10 g/pot resulted in 99 % increase in plant height, 100 % increase in root length, 94 % increase in fresh root weight, 89 % increase in fresh shoot weight and 94 % increase in yield. In comparison to the untreated check, host infection was reduced by 90 percent, 70 percent, and 79 percent in terms of the quantity of galls, egg masses, nematode population in soil, and root. The results of the study showed that using biological controls and organic amendments was more effective at reducing the population of M. incognita. According to the study, organic amendments and biocontrol agents had effects that were comparable to those of cartap hydrochloride. Therefore, bio agents other than nematicides can be applied.ThesisItem Open Access Distribution and molecular characterization of indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes in Bihar(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2022) S, SETHU LAKSHMI; Keshari, NishiA random survey was conducted in Pusa, Harpur and Bhuskaul village of Samastipur district in Bihar in search of EPNs and found that out of 113 samples collected, four samples were having entomopathogenic nematodes making their total frequency as 3.53 % with Harpur having lowest frequency then Pusa with 1.96 % and with height frequency of 30 % from Bhuskaul. Out of four isolates three were entomophilic nematodes (Acrobeloides spp.) and one isolate of entomopathogenic property (Steinernema spp.) and these isolate were named as BBu1, BBu2, BPm and BBf respectively which were morphologically and molecularly identified using modified CTAB method (Cubero et al., 1999) and the acquired sequence was submitted to NCBI BLAST and further identity was confirmed. The three Acrobeloides spp. isolates are entomophilic in nature and are local to Bihar, thus additional research into the bacteria associated with them is necessary. If bio-efficacy studies are conducted, these nematodes may be used to manage the target crop insect pests in this area. However, further research is needed to understand their life cycle, host range, virulence potential and ability to survive in extreme conditions.ThesisItem Open Access Biology of Meloidogyne graminicola on rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under Bihar condition and its integrated management(DRPCAU, Pusa, 2020) Goud, Gajja Bharath; Keshari, NishiPaddy is the main crop in Bihar during kharif season. Farmers in Bihar are growing different varieties under rainfed condition. The crop is infested by many pests, diseases and nematodes. Amongst the plant parasitic nematodes, the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola was found one of the main limiting factor of its production. In the areas where the rice is growing as a monoculture during kharif season, the infestation percentage is very high. The present investigation is carried out during Kharif 2019 to survey the rice root knot nematode infestation in different districts of Bihar in rice nurseries. The root and soil samples of the crops were brought from the rice field from the different villages of Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Vaishali districts. It was found that the frequency of occurrence of M. graminicola ranged between 80-90 % in these three districts. Maximum nematode population, number of females, eggs and juveniles was in Samastipur district and minimum infestation is in Darbhanga district. vii With the increase in inoculum density level level from 10J2/pot to 10000J2/pot, plant growth parameters decreased significantly and nematode multiplication parameters increased significantly. The maximum galls per roots system, eggs and juveniles per eggs mass, nematode population/200cc soil, root knot index and number of females per gall were increased significantly with increase in inoculum level and maximum was at 10000 J2 /pot. Among rice varieties screened against M. graminicola significantly highest root knots per plant, number of females per root knot, eggs and juvenile per egg mass and root knot index were recorded highest on PB1121 (check) and lowest root knot index was observed on Rajendra saraswati. Among millets, finger millet (RAU-1), Barnyrard millet (Dholi-1) and finger millet (RAU-3), (RAU-8) and foxtail millet (RAU-8) did not reveal any gall on there roots. Except onion no other vegetable revealed any sign of host parasite interaction on the host neither root knots nor females inside the root. Meloidogyne graminicola completed its life cycle from J2 to J2 is 33 days, during the study temperature was recorded at 8° C to 22°C. The fungal biocontrol agent, Trichoderma viride @ 5g, 6g, 7g, 8g, 9g and 10g/pot with carbofuran @ 2kg a.i./ha as treated check and another untreated check in 1 kg soil were taken and the effect was reported on the plant growth parameters and nematode multiplication parameters, keeping two sets as pre and post application of T. viride, one week before and after germination respectively. Although carbofuran treated plants have shown significantly highly effective treatment but among the different doses of T. viride in both pre and post treatment, the highest dose i.e, 10g/pot has given the maximum growth parameters and minimum nematode multiplication parameters in both pre and post treatments. When we compared the results in both pre and post treatments, it was found that in all the characters, the increase was more in pre treatment than post treatments.
