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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 Life cycle estimation and pathogenicity of Steinernema abbasi on fall armyworm(RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) S, GANDHI RAJAN; KESHARI, NISHIA study was conducted to determine the efficacy of Steinernema abbasi on fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda and the life cycle of S. abbasi on this insect. Various concentrations of infective juveniles (IJs) viz., 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 IJs / larva were tested on 3rd instar larvae of fall armyworm in three replications. It was found that, there was a negative correlation between the nematode population and time of mortality. As the inoculum level increased, there was decrease in time of mortality. The 3rd instar larvae of fall armyworm insect were found to be the most susceptible of all the concentrations tested. The production of IJs from the treated test insects, was also recorded. The results indicated that the number of IJs increased as the inoculum level is increased. The number of infective juveniles (IJs) produced per larva varied across treatments, yielding 19.03 × 103, 27.3 × 103, 30.70 ×103, 34.43 × 103, 37.50 × 103 and 43.73 × 103 IJs per larva for the 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 IJs per larva treatments, respectively, in the case of S. frugiperda. The mortality of S. frugiperda occurred within 36-48 hours when exposed to 25 IJs. For the life cycle of S. abbasi, it was found that the development of first generation females and males took 72-84 hours for 20-15 IJs. Second-generation females and males matured in 120-132 hours with 20-15 IJs. Infective juvenile exit times ranged from 120 and 168 hours across 20 and 10 IJs treatments respectively. Highest production of IJs were seen in 50 IJs concentration (43.73 × 103 IJs).ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation and efficacy of botanicals, organic amendments & bioagents against root knot nematode, (Meloidogyne incognita) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) L.(RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) Dixit, Simran; Keshari, NishiThe present study is carried out to test the different leaf extracts against the egg hatching inhibition and larval mortality of Meloidogyne incognita in tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.). Marigold (Tagetes erecta), periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), bael (Aegles marmelos), bhang (Cannabis sativa), neem (Azadirachta indica), carrot grass (Parthenium hysteropherus) and giant milkweed (Calotropis gigantia) were taken with 5 % concentration along with untreated check (water only) in 3 replications. Number of eggs hatched and larvae mortality, were observed after 24, 48 and 72 hrs. Maximum egg hatching inhibition (%) was observed at 24 hrs in Tagetes erecta (7.25 %) followed by Azadirachta indica (6.68 %). Minimum hatching inhibition (%) was observed at 72 hrs in Aegles marmelos (2.98 %). Maximum larval mortality (%) was observed at 72 hrs in Tagetes erecta (9.24 %) followed by Azadirachta indica (8.88 %). Minimum larval mortality (%) was observed at 24 hrs in Aegles marmelos (6.38 %). For the management of M. incognita in tomato, a pot study was done at the screen house of Nematology, PG College of Agriculture, RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar, in order to test the efficacy of botanicals (leaf extracts like Tagetes erecta, Catharanthus roseus and Tinospora cordifolia @ 10 % per pot), organic amendments (neem cake and mustard cake @ 10 g per pot) and bioagents (Trichoderma viride and Pochonia chlamydosporia @ 10 g per pot each). Among all the treatments, neem cake @ 10 g per pot was found effective in intensifying the plant development parameters and decreasing the nematode multiplication parameters when compared with all other treatments. Among bioagents, Trichoderma viride @ 10 g per pot and among botanical leaf extracts, Tagetes erecta @ 10 % per pot, were found significantly high when compared with the uninoculated check. When compared with treated check (cartap hydrochloride), Tagetes erecta @ 10 % per pot was found at par. With these findings, it can be concluded that in place of chemicals, the bioagents, leaf extracts and the organic cakes can be substituted with taking care of the soil, air and water environments.ThesisItem Open Access PATHOGENICITY AND MANAGEMENT OF ROOT KNOT NEMATODE, Meloidogyne incognita ON CARROT(RPCAU, Pusa, 2023) NANDINI, BOMMIDI; Keshari, NishiThe carrot (Daucus carota sub sp. sativus) is a cool season root crop, belongs to umbelliferae family, is a native of Central Asia. Although the branches and leaves of the plant are also eaten, the tap root is the part that is most frequently consumed. From long and thin to short and thick, roots come in a variety of diameters. The carrot root is abundant in beta carotene, a precursor to pro vitamin A that prevents the condition known as xeropthalmia also called as night blindness. Carrot crops are badly destroyed worldwide by root-knot nematode, which is a big problem in most of the crops. The research is planned to study pathogenicity and management of M. incognita in carrot. For pathogenicity, the plants were inoculated with different levels of inoculum densities (10, 100, 1000, 5000, 10000 J2/kg soil). The result showed that the highest root length was observed in plants that were inoculated 4 weeks after germination (14.49 cm) as opposed to plants that were inoculated 2 weeks after germination (5.64 cm) when inoculated with 10 J2/kg soil. At an inoculum level of 10,000 J2/kg soil, plants inoculated two weeks later germination had the highest number of galls per seedling (67.33), compared to plants inoculated four weeks later germination (51.33). Thus, it was found that, the plants that are inoculated 2 weeks after germination are more sensitive than plants that are inoculated 4 weeks after germination. The goal of the current study was to determine how well organic amendments, leaf extracts and bioagents worked against Meloidogyne incognita in carrot. The root-knot nematode was most effectively managed by Pseudomonas putida @ 10 g/pot followed by neem cake @ 10 g/pot, as shown by raising all plant development indices and falling nematode multiplication parameters. As opposed to organic amendments and leaf extracts, bioagents were yielding favorable 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 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.
