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Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa
In the imperial Gazetteer of India 1878, Pusa was recorded as a government estate of about 1350 acres in Darbhanba. It was acquired by East India Company for running a stud farm to supply better breed of horses mainly for the army. Frequent incidence of glanders disease (swelling of glands), mostly affecting the valuable imported bloodstock made the civil veterinary department to shift the entire stock out of Pusa. A British tobacco concern Beg Sutherland & co. got the estate on lease but it also left in 1897 abandoning the government estate of Pusa.
Lord Mayo, The Viceroy and Governor General, had been repeatedly trying to get through his proposal for setting up a directorate general of Agriculture that would take care of the soil and its productivity, formulate newer techniques of cultivation, improve the quality of seeds and livestock and also arrange for imparting agricultural education. The government of India had invited a British expert. Dr. J. A. Voelcker who had submitted as report on the development of Indian agriculture. As a follow-up action, three experts in different fields were appointed for the first time during 1885 to 1895 namely, agricultural chemist (Dr. J. W. Leafer), cryptogamic botanist (Dr. R. A. Butler) and entomologist (Dr. H. Maxwell Lefroy) with headquarters at Dehradun (U.P.) in the forest Research Institute complex.
Surprisingly, until now Pusa, which was destined to become the centre of agricultural revolution in the country, was lying as before an abandoned government estate. In 1898. Lord Curzon took over as the viceroy. A widely traveled person and an administrator, he salvaged out the earlier proposal and got London’s approval for the appointment of the inspector General of Agriculture to which the first incumbent Mr. J. Mollison (Dy. Director of Agriculture, Bombay) joined in 1901 with headquarters at Nagpur
The then government of Bengal had mooted in 1902 a proposal to the centre for setting up a model cattle farm for improving the dilapidated condition of the livestock at Pusa estate where plenty of land, water and feed would be available, and with Mr. Mollison’s support this was accepted in principle. Around Pusa, there were many British planters and also an indigo research centre Dalsing Sarai (near Pusa). Mr. Mollison’s visits to this mini British kingdom and his strong recommendations. In favour of Pusa as the most ideal place for the Bengal government project obviously caught the attention for the viceroy.
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ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Leaf blight of Oilseed Brassica incited by Alternaria spp.(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) Kumar, Sanjeet; Choudhary, C. S.Rapeseed-Mustard globally known as “Oilseed brassica” holds the status of the third most important oilseed crop with the production of about 72 MT from about 35 m ha area. In terms of area and production, India stands third place, and fifth place in terms of productivity. Currently in India, oilseed brassica is dominated by Indian mustard (B. juncea) covering 90% acreage. Alternaria leaf blight caused by A. brassicae (Berk.) Sacc., is the most destructive disease of Indian mustard without any confirmed source of transferable resistance, causing yield loss of 47% and reported from all parts of the world. This disease affects and damage foliage, stem, branches and pods of the brassica crop resulting into severe deterioration of both seed yield and oil content. Considering its seriousness, the present investigations were accomplished to understand the current status of disease severity and related variability in the pathogen in Bihar as well as efficacy of cultural, chemical, botanical, biological and SAR methods to minimize the yield loss. Alternaria blight disease of oilseed brassica prevailed in all parts of Bihar with varying severity from 35.30% at Bhagalpur in zone IIIA to 61.85 percent at Dholi, Muzaffarpur in zone I. The disease symptoms first appear on inter-rib tissues of lower leaves as small round, minute brown to blackish spots usually surrounded with zone of yellow halo that form lesions of varying sizes with inside concentric rings, lesions coalesce to cause blighting and defoliation of leaves. The symptom as elongated lesions with both ends in pointed shape with ash coloured center, appear on stem and branches and as sunken, dark-brown spots and lesions on pods. The symptom became noticeable in the first week of December month at lower leaves of the crop of 45-50 days age, which increased to maximum 54.2% on leaf and 48.2% on pods till crop maturity stage. Weather condition during reproductive phase of crop favoured the rapid progress of disease. On the basis of morphological characters of the pathogen isolated from all the surveyed areas, it was identified as Alternaria brassicae. Among 15 collected isolates of the pathogen from surveyed sites, a large extent of variability had been found. Variability in the conidial length from 100 to 330μm, thickness from 14 to 48 μm and beak length from 48 to 178 μm, number of transverse septa from 8 to 18, number of longitudinal septa from 0 to 8, mycelial growth from 44.82 mm on A & H Agar media to 68.76 mm on Richards Agar, colony colour on PDA from olivaceous black to whitish black, growth pattern adherent circular or fluffy circular, mycelial dry weight of 121.30 mg in AHA to 185.30 mg in RA, spore density of isolates in x 103 number per ml from 2.47 in Czapek's Dox Agar to 7.56 in Mustard leaf decoction were recorded. Among 15 isolates, 4 were found highly virulent, 7 as moderately virulent and other 4 as virulent. Dendrogram of molecular variability using ISSR primers also categorized isolates into four groups with variable polymorphism and dissimilarity. In bioassay studies of eight fungicides Propiconazole 25EC and Trifloxystrobin 25% + Tebuconazole 50% WG were proved to be 100 % inhibitory to A. brassicae in in vitro at all three tested concentration of 250, 500 and 1000 μg/ml; of six botanical extracts used at 5, 10, 15 and 20 % concentrations; Tobacco, Neem and Garlic extract at 20 % proved to be 81.9%, 72.2% and 51.4% inhibitory respectively; of four SAR activators used at concentration of 50,100,150 and 200 μg/ml; Azoxystrobin, INA, BABA and SA at 200 μg/ml proved to be 43.83, 27.78, 22.22, 14.81% inhibitory respectively. In antagonism study, all the four antagonists T. viride, T. harzianum, P. flourescens and B. subtilis inhibited the growth of test pathogen by 79.52, 73.49, 61.44 and 42.17 % respectively in dual culture. Microscopic observation on hyphal interactions between T. viride and A. brassicae showed lysis, protoplasmic disintegration and coiling around the mycelia of A. brassicae at many locations. Under field condition, timely sown crop on 15th October at spacing of 30 X 10 cm2 gave maximum yield of 1865.5 kg ha-1 found at par to 1831.5 kg ha-1 with spacing of 30 x 20 cm2. Successive delay in sowing from 15th October to 15th November resulted into rapid enhanced of the severity of Alternaria blight on leaf (from 19.53 to 55.39%), on pod (from 10.45 to 48.79%) and thereby gradual reduction of test weight of seed (from 5.51g to 4.56 g) and seed yield (from 1810.50 to 996.10 kg/ha) of mustard crop. Widening of spacing from 30 x 10 cm2 to 60 x 20 cm2 resulted into slight reduction of the disease severity on leaf and on pod, slight enhancement of test weight but decreased the seed yield from 1488.50 kg to 1390.90 kg/ha. Successive 10 days delay in sowing from 15th October to 15th November increased the days to attain 50 % flowering from 58 days to 66 days but shortened the days to attain physiological maturity from 148 to 136 days, thereby reducing the reproductive phase from 90 to 70 days which coupled with increased disease severity resulted into drastic reduction of yield by 44.11% (from 1866 to 1043 kg/ha), net return by 46.62 % (from Rs. 87,620 to Rs. 38,010 per ha) and Benefit: Cost ratio from 3.04 to 2.09. In bio control trial T. viridae and T. harzianum, proved at par in reducing the disease intensity by 44.76 and 39.52 %, enhancing the seed yield by 22.99 and 19.7 % and gave the ICBR of 1: 3.04 and 1: 2.61 respectively. Among botanical extracts Garlic gave maximum disease reduction of 36.61%, seed yield of 1484 kg ha-1 with increase of 18.34 % followed by yield of 1456 kg ha-1 with increase of 16.11% in Tobacco extract, but the highest ICBR of 1:5.34 obtained with Tobacco due to its low cost. In fungicidal trial Propiconazole 25EC @ 0.1% proved to be most economical and effective with ICBR of 1: 5.64, disease reduction by 72.49 %, yield of 1700.50 kg ha-1 and yield enhancement by 36.75 % followed by Trifloxystrobin 25% + Tebuconazole 50% WG @0.1% with ICBR of 1: 3.35, disease reduction by 75.73%, yield of 1731.50 kg ha-1 and yield enhancement by 39.24 %. In SAR trial Isonicotinic Acid (INA) caused maximum disease reduction by 53.12%, yield of 1637.5 kg ha-1 with its enhancement by 31.16 % and ICBR of 1:6.58 which was found at par with Salicylic acid (SA) in terms of yield (1603.00 kg ha-1) with its increase by 28.39% and ICBR of 1:5.99.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Variability and Eco-friendly Management of Sugarcane Red Rot Disease Caused by Colletotrichum falcatum Went.(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) SINGH, PRIYA; Minnatullah, Md.Sugarcane is an economically important agro-industrial crop cultivated in tropical as well as subtropical parts of the country. It is chief source of white sugar, jaggery, khandsari and other bio products. The low yield and productivity of sugarcane can be attributed to infection by numerous plant diseases. Among them, red rot disease caused by Colletotrichum falcatum Went. is the most common and dreaded disease of sugarcane. The sugarcane plant exhibiting typical red rot symptoms were collected from the various reserved areas of sugar factories in Bihar. A total of twenty seven isolates of pathogen was obtained and they were studied for their cultural and morphological characteristics. The various colour of colony such as white, whitish grey, greyish white, ashy grey, light brown and pinkish white and colony margin either smooth or irregular were observed. The various pigmentation on the reverse side of the plate viz. creamish, light yellow, dark yellow, light pink and black were observed. The mycelia of the isolates were either aerial or subaerial, sparse, scanty or abundant with flat, slightly raised to fluffy texture. The average length of conidia varied from 19.87 to 31.47 μm and width varied from 3.74 to 4.72 μm. The pathogenic behaviour of the isolates revealed that fourteen isolates were similar to Pathotype-1 (CF 08), six isolates as Pathotype-2 (CF 07) and seven isolates behaved as Pathotype-3 (CF 01). Amongst 48 genotypes/varieties evaluated against sugarcane red rot disease, 10 genotypes/varieties were graded as resistant, 26 as moderately resistant, 6 as moderately susceptible and 6 as susceptible against the isolate CF 07. However, 8 genotypes/varieties showed resistant, 24 as moderately resistant, 8 as moderately susceptible and 8 as susceptible reaction against CF 08 isolate. In vitro efficacy of fungicide indicated that Carbendazim was most effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of the test fungus followed by Propiconazole while, Azoxystrobin was least effective against all the three pathotypes. In vitro evaluation of botanicals revealed that Neem leaf extracts proved most efficacious followed by Tulsi while, Bael was least effective against all the three pathotypes of red rot pathogen. Amongst all the intercrops evaluated with sugarcane under field condition for two consecutive cropping seasons i.e. 2019-20 and 2020-21, sugarcane intercropped with garlic showed outstanding results in both the cropping seasons followed by coriander while lentil was most inferior among all the treatments in reducing red rot disease, enhancing germination and yield attributes of sugarcane. Among all the fungicides, botanicals and micronutrients evaluated under the field condition for two cropping seasons i.e. 2020-21 and 2021-22, Sett treatment + drenching + spraying with Carbendazim + Furrow application of Borax + Zinc sulphate proved most effective in reducing red rot disease incidence and enhancing all other cane attributes. Although botanicals were inferior in comparison to three used fungicidal treatments however, botanicals were found comparatively superior to fungicides in terms of enhancing micronutrients availability and soil quality. The botanicals positively favoured the availability of soil organic carbon, availability of macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn and Cu) in the soil. Based on the above findings, it may be concluded that a holistic combination of various disease management approaches i.e. selection of resistant varieties for planting, intercropping of sugarcane with suitable crops, use of fungicides, botanicals as well as micronutrients would lead to long term sustainability and higher profitabilityThesisItem Open Access Screening of Pigeonpea Genotypes & Evaluation of Botanicals in-vitro condition against Fusarium wilt disease(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) Kumari, Jyoti; Kumar, BirendraPigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) Millsp), also known as tur or arhar in India is a valuable pulse crop predominantly cultivated in tropical areas and in India. Pigeopea having a significant place among the family Fabaceae. The legume crop pigeopae is kharif season crop and has wider adaptability requires low input in cropping practice. The heavy shedding of leaves adds considerable organic matter in to the soil. Pigeonpea is the 4th ranked pulse crop in the world. In India, Pigeonpea is the 2nd most important pulse crop after chickpea. Among a few variables known to influence pigeonpea development, the most significant is the effect of diseases like Cercospora leaf spot, Fusarium wilt, collar rot, Phytopthara blight, dry root rot , Alternaria leaf spot, phyllody and sterility mosaic. It just so happens, a couple of them causes monetary misfortunes in India (Kannaiyan et al., 1984). Among the illnesses, Fusarium wilt ,incited by Fusarium udum, is the main soil borne disease and was first revealed from Bihar state in Quite a while (Butler, 1906). During the present study, the varietal screenings were conducted in a simulated environment under wilt sick plot. Out of one hundred forty eight genotypes evaluated under wilt sick plot, fifty four genotypes viz. ICP 8863, NAM 88, TJT 501, BDN 2019-5, WRGE 134, BDN 2019-9, AKTE 16-12, PT 11-4-4-1, BDN 716, JKM 189, NAM 151, BDN 2019-34, AKTM 1914, PT 12-5-5-1, GJP 20011, SKNP 1715, BAUPP 18-7, BAU PP 16-38, WRG 391, LRG 471, IPAL 20-5, IPAL 20-24, PT 2017-1, WRGE 124, PT 10- 1-1-2, BDN 2013-2, PT 11-16, GRG 622, GJP 19-15, AKTM 1637, IPA 19-26, IPA 19-43, IPA 19-6, IPA 18-8, IPA 14-2, BSMR 736, BWR 243, BWR 853, BWR 254, BWR 553, BWR 316, BSMR 2, BSMR65, BSMR-1, BSMR 339, BWR 23, BWR 164, BWR 153 and BWR 133 were found resistant and fifty six genotypes viz. AL 2324, PusaArhar 21-1, PusaArhar 21-60, PusaArhar 21-27, PusaArhar 21-29, CRG 16-01, PT 0012, BDN 711,AKTE 1905, LRG 467, RVKT 383, NAM 92, BDN 2013-5, RVSA 2020-6, RVSA 2020-7, RVSA 2020-8, LRG 224, LRG 275, AKTM 1917, GJP 2008, WRG 390, RKPV 821,-01, RKPV 810-01, NPD 18-03, KA 19-05, IPAL 20-1, IPAL 20-11, RVSA 14-2, WRGE 138, PT 2017-2, PUSA 197, MAL53, PA 15-21, IPA 14-6, IPA 11-45, IPA 15-1,IPA 16-18, GTH I, SKNPCH 1906, WRG 65, PAH 16, PAH 17, PAH 5, PAH 10, WRG 1, MAL 13, MAL57, BRG 1, BRG 2, BRG 3, BSMR 175, BSMR 164, BSMR 79, BSMR 26, BWR 254 and BWR 134 were found moderately resistant. Remaining genotypes were showed susceptible reaction against Fusarium wilt disease. Total fifty four genotypes were found entirely resistant to Fusarium wilt .Genotypes found resistant to moderately resistant may either be used as donor parent in breeding program for resistant varieties or if yield level is comparable with existing varieties, it may be released for general cultivation. For an ecofriendly and sustainable management of Fusarium wilt, the effectiveness of botanicals were tested in vitro at 5, 10, 15, and 20% conc. against the pathogen by poisoned food technique. The botanical extract of ashoka leaves, eucalyptus leaves, garlic clove, marigold leaves, tulsi leaves, neem leaves, dhatura leaves, turmeric rhizome,,ginger rhizome, onion bulb and moringa leaves were found effective in inhibition of Fusarium udum.ThesisItem Open Access Management of blast disease of Finger Millet caused by Pyricularia grisea(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) S, RAHUL; Sahni, SangitaFinger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) is an essential reliable climate tolerant small seeded crop grown by tribal and poor farmers in adverse agro climatic conditions in the arid areas of Africa and South Asia. After sorghum and pearl millet, it is the third important crop in India. The present study was undertaken with an aim to find out resistant genotypes/germplasms of finger millet to Pyricularia grisea causing blast disease under natural epiphytotic condition, and to explore different PGPRs for effective management for blast disease under laboratory conditions. Survey has been conducted in different villages of Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai and Sitamarhi districts. Among the four districts highest mean disease incidence of leaf blast 38.5% was recorded in Muzaffarpur district and lowest 5.25% was recorded in Sitamarhi district. Highest neck blast disease incidence 26.35% was observed in Muzaffarpur district and lowest 5.84% in Begusarai district. Similarly highest finger blast incidence 30.85% was found in Muzaffarpur district and lowest incidence 4.59% in Samastipur district. Among 36 genotypes of finger millet evaluated for blast disease resistance 4 genotypes were found resistant to Leaf blast, 31 were resistant to Neck blast, 24 genotypes to Finger blast and 3 genotypes viz., FMV 1166, FMV 1212, GE 4999 were showed multiple resistance to all the three types of blasts i.e., Leaf, Neck and Finger blast diseases. Similarly, out of one hundred forty six genetic stocks germplasms were screened for blast disease resistance, 60 germplasms were found resistant to Leaf blast, 128 germplasms to Neck blast , 99 germplasms to Finger blast and 33 germplasms viz., GS -10, GS -18, GS -21,GS -23, GS 25, GS -30, GS -37, GS -38,, GS -43, GS -49, GS -53, GS -62, GS -66, GS -78, GS -79, GS 80, GS -81, GS -83, GS -84, GS -86, GS -96, GS -97, GS -101, GS – 102, GS -118, GS -120, GS -121, GS -122, GS -123, GS -126, GS -128, GS -135, and GS -140 were showed multiple resistance to all the three types of blasts i.e., Leaf, Neck and Finger blast diseases. Fifteen PGPR (plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria) (Pseudomonad isolates) isolates were evaluated for the effective antagonistic activity/ management of the pathogen Pyricularia grisea. Out of 15, PGPR-3was found most effective with 76.29% followed by PGPR-5 with 74.81% mycelial growth inhibition and PGPR 4 (8.14%) was found to be least effective in managing the pathogen.ThesisItem Open Access Standardisation and Production Technology of Split Gill Mushroom(Dr.RPCAU, Pusa, 2022) AKHIL, PANCHAGIRI; DayaramPresent study entitled“Standardisation and Production Technology of Split Gill Mushroom”was carried out at Advance Centre of Mushroom Research, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur,Biharregarding different aspects of Schizophyllum commune cultivation. Radial growth of different strains ofSchizophyllum commune was studied on different media and temperature, to know the suitable medium and temperature for its growth and development. Among all the tested media and temperatures, the maximum radial growth was observed in strain SC-06p (34.66 mm)on PDA medium, followed by MEA medium by strain SC-06p (32.00 mm) at 7 days after inoculation. PDA medium gave maximum radial growth by strain SC-06p (58.33 mm) followed by MEA medium by strain SC-06p (51.11 mm) at 14 days after inoculation Maximum radial growth by strain SC-06p (34.66 mm) was observed at 30±1ºC, followed by 25±1ºC bySC-06p strain (31.00 mm) at 7 days after inoculation. Strain SC-06p gives maximum radial growth (58.33 mm) at 30±1ºC followed by 25±1ºC by strain SC-06p (52.33 mm) at 14 days after inoculation. Spawn production of different strains of Schizophyllum commune on wheat, maize and paddy grain was also studied. Wheat grain was found superior which took 9.66 days by strainsSC-06pand SC-01 followed by paddy grain 11.33 days by strain SC-06p in terms of complete spawn development. Wheat straw Substrate was found superior in terms of spawn run period; Pinhead Formation and days for first harvest followed by Paddy straw substrate. Saw dust substrate took maximum spawn run days by strain SC-02 (19.33 days) and SC-03 (19.33 days). Wheat straw substrate gives maximum yield (kg)/100kg substrate by strain Sc-06p (18.30 kg) followed by Paddy straw substrate by strain SC-06p (17.66 kg) on wet substrate. Though all different temperature and media supported the growth of Schizophyllum commune strains. During present study fungal contaminants i.e., Trichoderma spp., Coprinus spp. and Caprinopsis spp. were frequentlyobserved incrops.ThesisItem Open Access Management of Stem Gall Disease of Coriander caused by Protomyces macrosporus Unger(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2022) TRIPATHY, RUTUPARNA; Mishra, A. K.Coriander is one of the first spices to be used by mankind dates back to 5000BC. It is called as ‘Miraculous herb’ as all parts of the plant including seeds and leaves are used both as spice as well as herbal medicine. Among various diseases attacking coriander, stem gall disease caused by Protomyces macrosporusUnger is the most devastating disease resulting 16-50 per cent yield loss.Considering the seriousness of this disease, present investigation was carried out on various aspects viz., survey, germplasm screening and integrated disease management at T.C.A., Dholi campus of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar during 2021-22. Survey conducted in two districts of Bihar i.e., Muzaffarpur and Samastipur revealed maximum and minimum mean disease incidence of 49.86 and 18.42 per cent in Muzaffarpur and Samastipur district respectively. Out of twenty coriander germplasm screened against the stem gall disease, only one germplasm (RD-23) found moderately resistant. Under disease management, minimum PDI of 20.17 along with maximum yield of 1713.89 Kg/ha over control was recorded in treatment involving seed treatment @10g/Kg seed & soil application @5g/ 3m2 of Trichoderma asperellum + foliar spray with a ready formulation containing Azoxystrobin 18.2%+ Difenoconazole 11.4% SC @0.1% at 45, 60 & 75 DAS. However, highest ICBR of 1:2.50 was realized in seed treatment with a fungicidal formulation containing Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% WS @4g/Kg seed followed by foliar spray with a ready formulation containing Azoxystrobin 7.1%+ Propiconazole 11.9% SC @0.1% at 45, 60 & 75 DAS.ThesisItem Open Access Epidemiological studies on Alternaria blight disease of pigeon pea caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2022) T J, Revanth; Kumar, BirendraPigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) is one of the most important pulse crops grown in India next to Chickpea. Wide range of pests and diseases are known to affect this crop which leads to greater reduction in yield. However, among these Alternaria blight disease is getting major importance and becoming a limiting factor for the pigeon pea cultivation. Keeping this in mind the current study was focused on various aspects such as survey to know the prevalence of Alternaria blight disease in four districts of Bihar, role of weather variables on the progression of Alternaria blight disease in three different dates of sowing and to find out the resistant genotypes among the available pigeon pea genotypes. Survey conducted in different locations of four districts of Bihar has showed its prevalence and widespread occurrence with frequency of disease varied from 25.22 to 48.05 per cent. The first symptoms of the disease appeared on the lower leaves as Alternaria spp. is a low sugar fungus. Initially they start as the small, minute brown to black lesions which multiply rapidly and spread to the upper leaves. These lesions coalesce to form a large concentric ring surrounded by a yellow halo. In the later stages these symptoms start appear on all the aerial parts of the plant such as stem and pods, in severe condition blighting of leaf takes place. The disease incidence was more in case of late sown crop i.e.,15th July 2021 up to 67 per cent when compared to the normal sown crop of disease incidence up to 50.1 per cent. The weather conditions that prevailed in the field had a significant impact on the disease's progression. In case of first date of sowing, maximum periodical rise was noticed in the second and third week of October. The maximum temperature ranges from 27.9oC to 33.1oC, minimum temperature ranges from 24.5oC to 24.7oC with relative humidity (morning) more than 99 per cent, relative humidity (evening) more than 70 per cent, rain fall of greater than 114 mm and 3 rainy days favoured the maximum disease incidence. In case of second and third date viz.30th July 2021, 15th August 2021 the disease progression was more in case of 40th to 42nd meteorological week. Disease progress was negatively and significantly correlated with the minimum temperature, negatively correlated with maximum temperature and rain fall whereas relative humidity (morning and evening) positively correlated with disease development on pooled basis for three different dates of sowing. The regression equations have been developed with different weather variables interaction on the progress of disease could explained the variation between 64 and 70 per cent. One hundred and thirty-two genotypes were screened against the Alternaria blight disease under artificial condition in research field using infector row. Only ten genotypes viz. RVSA 14-2, WRGE 138, LRG 224, LRG 275, AKTM 1914, AKTM 1917, WRG 391, WRG 390, PT 11-16 and SKNPCH 1906 were found to be moderately resistant. 64 genotypes were moderately susceptible and remaining 58 genotypes were susceptible to Alternaria blight of pigeon pea. These ten moderately resistant genotypes can be used in breeding programme to develop the resistant varieties or they can be released for general cultivation.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on White Rust Disease of Indian Mustard caused by Albugo candida Kuntze(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2022) KUMAR, DINESH; Choudhary, C. S.Oilseed brassica, often known as rapeseed mustard, is the second-most significant oilseed crop in the world after soyabean. With a productivity of 1187 kg/ha, Bihar produces 0.10 mt from an area of 0.08 mha. Because of its crucial human nutrition, an essential component for animal feed, and high yield efficiency, mustard is commonly referred to as the "queen of oilseeds." White rust is one of the most damaging disease, and it severely hinders the production of oilseed Brassicas. The fungus not only lowers production by causing crop foliar damage, but it also drastically reduces both seed (siliqua) as well as oil yield by harming siliqua during the pod-formation stage. Depending on the severity of both foliar and staghead phase of the disease, the per cent yield losses ranging from 23.0-89.8% in Indian mustard (B. juncea L.) in India (Lakra and Saharan, 1989). White pustules, or sori, appear in a range of sizes and shapes on leaves, stems, inflorescences, and pods. Sori start out as distinct regions but eventually blend to cover whole plant organs. The affected host tissue frequently swells and distorts forming staghead with downy mildew disease. Survey was conducted during Rabi 2021-22 in the adjacent districts of Pusa, they are Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali and Darbhanga. During survey it was found that infection prevailed in all the areas surveyed and incidence of the disease ranged in between 15.50- 20.34 per cent in which the highest incidence (20.34%) was recorded from Muzaffarpur district and lowest incidence (15.50%) was recorded from the Vaishali district. In the current study, 52 Brassica genotypes/entries were evaluated to find out the resistance reaction against the white rust disease. According to the disease severity scale (0-9), 24 entries was found to be immune to disease, followed by 7 as highly resistant, 3 resistant and 16 as moderately resistant and 2 entries were found to be susceptible. It was found that the typical white rust pustules appeared late on the mustard leaves of early sown crop while the disease appeared early on late sown crop. With the postponement in sowing, white rust incidence and severity increased. Weather factors like rainfall, temperature, and atmospheric humidity had a big impact on how the mustard develop white rust disease. Maximum temperature and relative humidity were found to be negatively correlated with the per cent disease severity. While positive correlations were reported between Minimum temperature and per cent disease severity. Light rainfall increases the disease while heavy rainfall causes reduction in the disease. Foliar spray of fungicides were found to be very effective against white rust disease. Among different fungicides, Metalaxyl 4% + Mancozeb 64%WP @ 0.25 was found to be most effective for reducing the disease with minimum per cent disease severity of 18.86% and causes 36.10% increase in yield. While Mancozeb 75WP @ 0.25% was found to be least effective for reducing the white rust disease. The highest incremental cost benefit ratio (1:7.46) was reported in treatment with single spray of Propiconazole 25 EC @ 0.1%.ThesisItem Open Access Management of Red Rot Disease of Sugarcane(DRPCAU, PUSA, 2022) OMPRAKASH, Mr.; Singh, S. N.Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a major crop cultivated throughout the world's tropical and subtropical climates. It is a perennial, monocotyledonous large grass belonging to the family Poaceae, sub family Ponicoideae, tribe Andropogoneae, sub tribe Saccharastrae and genus Saccharum. The globe produces 181.2 million tons of sugarcane in 2020-21 covering an area of 21.73 million hectares. India produces approximately 25% of the world's sugarcane, making it the secondlargest producer after Brazil. Bihar is a significant sugarcane producing state in the country.It has occupied an area of 0.22 mha with a production of 10.71mt with an average productivity of 48.92 t/ha. Sugarcane is grown throughout approximately every district in Bihar. In this study it is clear that among the four districts under surveyed, East Champaran district was highly affected with red rot disease of sugarcane with mean disease incidence of 27.65% and Samastipur district was least affected by red rot disease with mean disease incidence of 21.02 %. Red rot disease is responsible for quick decline of commercial varieties and it is mainly due to the development of new pathotypes in red rot flora or another reasons. The results clearly indicate that 30 genotypes tested against red rot, 8 genotypes (CoP16437, BO91, CoP17437, CoP17438, CoP9301, CoP16439, CoP17440 and CoSe16451) were found resistant, 12 genotypes (CoSe18452, CoP17441, CoP2061, CoP16438, CoLK16470, CoSe01421, CoSe16454, CoSe16456, CoLK16468, CoLK94184, CoP17444 and CoP17446) were found moderately resistant, 3 genotypes (CoSe16452, CoLK16469 and BO156) were found moderately susceptible and 7 genotypes (CoLK16466, CoSe17451, CoBln17501, CoBln16502, CoSe92423, CoSe17452 and CoSe95422 as check) were found susceptible against red rot of sugarcane. Under in-vitro conditions, four fungicides were tested against Colletotrichum falcatum on oat meal agar medium with the application of the Poison food technique. Fungicides were tested at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 parts per million(ppm). Among them Azoxystrobin+ Tebuconazole showed highest inhibition percentage of mycelium in all the tested concentrations and Thiophanate methyl showed lowest inhibition percentage of mycelium in all the tested concentrations against the test pathogen Colletotrichum falcatum. Under in vitro conditions, four stains of Trichoderma harzianum were studied against Colletotrichum falcatum on oat meal agar medium with the application of the dual culture technique. Four stains of T. harzianum viz; TPU-1, TSR-1, TSR2, TDH - 1 are tested in-vitro against pathogen C. falcatum. Among four strains of T. harzianum,TPU-1 showed highest inhibition percentage (60.05) and TSR -1 showed lowest inhibition percentage (51.60) against the pathogen Colletotrichum falcatum.
