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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 Physiological response of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes to salinity stress and its mitigation through microbial inoculation(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar), 2018) Rani, Ediga Usha; KavitaLentil is an important legume crop which is highly sensitive to salinity and is adversely affected by salt stress in terms of growth and yield. Inoculation of plants with microbes such as Trichoderma viride, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas can enhance plant growth during salt stress, which is an eco-friendly approach to sustainable agriculture. The present investigation entitled “Physiological response of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes to salinity stress and its mitigation through microbial inoculation” was conducted with two objectives viz., to identify contrasting sets of lentil genotypes against salinity stress on the basis of physiological traits, and to study physiological response of microbes application in contrasting genotypes under salinity stress. For the identification of contrasting sets of lentil genotypes to salinity stress, experiment was performed in Petri dishes with seventeen genotypes. All genotypes were subjected to control and salinity stress (4.0 and 8.0 dSm-1) for 7 days and physiological parameters viz. germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight, germination relative index, vigour index-І and vigour index-II were observed. Results showed a significant decrease in values of these parameters under salinity stress compared to control condition. Among genotypes, the least reduction in germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight, germination relative index, vigour index-І and vigour index-II value were observed in genotypes RLG-234 and RLG-254 while the maximum percent reduction was observed in LL-931 and SJL 7-2. For the second objective, contrasting set of genotypes i.e., tolerant (RLG-234 and RLG-254) and susceptible genotypes (LL-931 and SJL 7-2) were sown in CRD with three replications in plastic pot filled with soil having EC 4.0 dSm-1. The contrasting genotypes were primed with different commercial formulation of microbes (Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescence, Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma viride + Pseudomonas fluorescence, Trichoderma viride + Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescence + Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma viride + Pseudomonas fluorescence + Bacillus subtilis) and morpho-physiological and biochemical response under salinity stress was studied. Results showed that morphological (root length, shoot length, root dry weight, shoot dry weight) , physiological (relative water content, membrane stability index, total chlorophyll content) biochemical (proline, soluble protein, total free amino acids) and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) were significantly increased in all the treatments over control (without microbial inoculation), whereas lipid peroxidation and protease activity was significantly decreased in all the treatments. Sodium content was decreased while potassium content was significantly increased in both root and shoot. Potassium- sodium ratio was higher in shoot than in root. On the basis of present study it was concluded that, salinity stress adversely affected morpho-physiological, biochemical attributes and nutritional content (Na and K) in lentil genotypes. These parameters were improved under salinity stress with the combined application of Pseudomonas fluorescence, Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma viride showing synergistic response in ameliorating salinity stress.ThesisItem Open Access Physiology of mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss) genotypes under salinity and high temperature stress at seedling stage(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar), 2018) Prasad, Satya Narayan; KavitaRapeseed-mustard is considered to be the second largest edible oilseed crop in the world after soybean. However, this is sensitive to salinity stress that adversely affects growth and yield. The crop also faces high temperature at seedling stage when sown late. The present investigation was carried out to screen mustard genotypes against salinity and high temperature stress conditions and to study physio-biochemical response in two contrasting genotypes under salinity and high temperature stress condition at seedling stage. The salt solution was prepared by using NaCl: CaCl2 in the ratio of 7:2 (w/v) and its electrical conductivity of different salinity levels (4.0 dSm-1 and 6.0 dSm-1) were maintained by direct reading conductivity meter. Twenty one genotypes viz., CS-52, CS-56, CS2002-61, CS2002-189, CS2002-195, CS2004-105, CS2004-106, CS2004-114, CS2004-191, CS2005-124, CS2005-125, CS2009-105, CS2009-145, CS2009-256, CS2009-261, CS2009-332, CS2009-347, CS2013-10, CS2013-19, CS2013-27 and CS1013-41 were subjected to primary screening at different stresses sown in seedling trays filled with soil. The treatments comprised of (a) Control (1.2 dSm-1) (b) 1.2 dSm-1 + High temperature (40℃) (c) Salinity of EC = 4.0 dSm-1 (d) Salinity of EC = 6.0 dSm-1 (e) Salinity (EC = 4.0 dSm-1) + high temperature (40℃) (f) Salinity (EC = 6.0 dSm-1) + high temperature (40℃) that were compared with control (1.2 dSm-1). The contrasting set of genotypes identified were used to study the physio-biochemical changes in 15-day old seedlings. On the basis of physiological parameters viz., survival percent, seedling length, dry weight of seedlings, vigour index-I and vigour index-II of contrasting set of genotypes were identified. Survival percent, seedling length, dry weight of seedlings, vigour index-I and vigour index-II declined in all the genotypes in different treatments over control, however, the decline was less in genotypes CS2009-347 and CS-52 whereas it was more in CS2009-256 and CS2009-145. The genotypes CS2009-347 and CS-52 were identified as relatively tolerant, whereas CS2009-256 and CS2009-145 were found to be susceptible genotypes. Stress application resulted in decline in membrane stability index, relative water content, chlorophyll content and soluble protein content; however, the decline was less in tolerant genotypes. Contrary to this, carotenoids content, proline content, catalase activity, peroxidase activity were found to increase, the increase being more pronounced in tolerant genotypes. Total free amino acids and protease activity also enhanced with the percent enhancement being more in susceptible genotypes. Results of this study will be helpful for finding salinity and high temperature tolerant genotypes for mustard improvement programme.ThesisItem Open Access Physiological response of Mung bean [Vigna radiata L. (Wilczek)] genotypes to application of salicylic acid and trichoderma under salinity stress(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar), 2018) Kumar, Suresh; KavitaThesisItem Open Access Physiology of mungbean [Vignaradiata(L.)Wilczek] under salt and high temperature stress condition(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2018) Kumari, Shikha; Kumar, ShaileshMany agricultural lands affected by salinity, the influence of salt stressis aggravated by the simultaneous action of high temperature. Recent studies revealed that the response of plants to a combination of two different stresses is specific and cannot be deduced from the stresses applied individually. Here, we report on the respons1e of mungbean seedlings to individual and combination of salt and high temperature stress. The present study entitled “Physiology of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under salt and high temperature stress condition” was conducted with three objectives (1) Screening of mungbean genotypes for combined salt and high temperature stress to identify contrasting sets of mungbean genotypes on the basis of physiological traits(2) To study physiological and biochemical mechanisms of tolerance of mungbean genotypes subjected to independent, and combined salt and high temperature stress condition.(3) To study the ionic and nutrient homeostasis in contrasting sets of mungbean genotypes subjected to independent, and combined salt and high temperature stress condition. Entirestudies were performed in 8 days old mungbean seedling grown in petriplate. For screening of contrasting sets of genotypes, experiments were performed with thirty one mungbean genotypes. Germination percentage and growth parameters (seedling dry weight, root length & seedling length, seedling vigour I & II, germination relative index) and physiological traits (chlorophyll contents measured in terms of SPAD units), were recorded in 8 days old mungbean seedling, and on the basis of growth performance under combined stress condition, two sets of contrasting mungbean genotypes were identified (TMB-37 & Pusa 1501, relatively tolerant for combined stressand MH-1314 & MH- 1315, relatively susceptible for combined stress). Second experiment was conducted to compare the changes occurred due individual and combined stress on physiological and biochemical traits.Results showed that combined stress severely reduced the photosynthetic pigment contents, carotenoids contents, SPAD value, chlorophyll stability, relative water contents, membrane stability compared to individual stress. Reduction was more in susceptible group compared to tolerant group of genotypes. In tolerant group the levels of antioxidant enzyme activity (peroxidase, CAT and SOD) and proline were higher compared to susceptible group both under individual and under combined stress conditions. Compared to individual stress the antioxidant enzyme activity (peroxidase, CAT and SOD) and proline were higher under combined stress conditions. Lipid peroxidation (estimated in terms of TBARS content) were also significantly high in combined stress compared to individual stress. In third experiments ionic and nutrient homeostasis estimated by analyzing the content of Na, K, and Zn and Fe in shoot and root of contrasting sets of mungbean genotypes subjected to independent, and combined salt and high temperature stress condition. Results indicated that tolerant genotypes maintained high K-Na ratio in both shoot and root compared to susceptible genotypes under individual and combined stress conditions and produced more dry matter compared to susceptible genotypes. Reduction in K-Na ratio both shoots and roots were more in combined stress compared to individual stress. Zn and Fe mobilization was severely affected under stress condition in all genotypes under individual and combined stress conditions, however tolerant genotypes able to maintain more Zn and Fe content in their shoot and root compared to susceptible genotypes. From Pearson Correlation Matrix it is clear that the endogenous seed Zn contents was positively correlated with dry weight, germination percentage, total chlorophyll, RWC, SPAD value, Fe & Zn content of shoot and root, and K-Na ratio. Therefore, seed Fe & Zn can also be used trait for screening of genotypes under individual & combined stress conditions during seedling stage.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on protective role of cytokinin in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under combined drought and high temperature stress condition(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Kumari, Sanam; Kumar, ShaileshDrought and high temperature stress often occur simultaneously especially in rainfed grown wheat crop causing severe yield loss in most of the wheat growing areas of the world. The simultaneous effects of these two stresses on crop performance in terms of growth, development, biomass accumulation, and yield may be quite different than the individual stress, but there are limited studies on this topic. Drought as well high temperature stress inhibits CK synthesis and accelerates CK degradation, reducing CK levels in roots and shoots. Increasing endogenous CK content through exogenous application of CK or genetic modification to overexpress isopentenyl transferase (ipt) controlling cytokinin synthesis has positive effects on improving plant tolerance to stress, which has been attributed to the promotion of photosynthesis, water use efficiency, and antioxidant metabolism of shoots in various plant species. CK have been shown to modulate leaf enzymatic antioxidant activities (i.e. POD and SOD), activating leaf defenses to abiotic stresses. CKs may retard senescence directly by scavenging or interfering with free radicals, which are proposed to be involved in this process. The present investigation entitled “Studies on protective role of cytokinin in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under combined drought and high temperature stress condition” was conducted with two objectives (1) Screening of wheat genotypes for combined drought and high temperature stress and to identify contrasting set of wheat genotypes on the basis of physiological traits. (2) To study the protective role of cytokinin (6-BAP) on physiological and biochemical traits in contrasting sets of wheat genotypes subjected to combined drought and high temperature stress condition. Complete experiments were performed in 10 days old wheat seedling grown in petri plate. For identification of contrasting genotypes, screening experiments were performed with twenty wheat genotypes. Growth parameters (dry mass accumulation, fresh weight, root length & shoot length per plant) and physiological traits (chlorophyll contents measured in terms of SPAD units), were recorded in 10 days old wheat seedling, and on the basis of growth performance under combined stress condition, one set of contrasting wheat genotypes were identified (C-306, relatively tolerant for combined stress and KO-307, relatively combined stress sensitive). For objective second, two experiments were performed, first experiments were performed to optimize dose of cytokinin using varying levels of benzyl amino purine (BAP; 5, 10 and 20 ppm). Exogenous application of BAP significant increased membrane stability index (MSI) and other growth parameters in wheat seedlings grown under independent and combined stress condition in all the three concentration of cytokinin. However, among three concentrations response of 10 ppm cytokinin application was maximum on all parameters studied. Second experiment were conducted to find out the effect of optimum dose of BAP on physiological (RWC, MSI, CSI, Chlorophyll & carotenoid contents, TBARS contents and SPAD units) and biochemical traits (antioxidant enzyme activity and proline contents) in contrasting sets of wheat genotypes subjected to drought, high temperature & combined drought and high temperature stress in 10 days old wheat seedlings. Results showed that combined stress severely reduced the photosynthetic pigment contents, carotenoids contents, chlorophyll stability, relative water contents, membrane stability compared to individual stress, which were significantly improved by foliar application of 10 ppm of 6-BAP. Reduction was more in sensitive genotypes (KO-307) as compared to tolerant genotypes (C-306). However, the response of KO-307 was more pronounced to exogenous application of BAP compared to C-306. The levels of antioxidant enzyme activity (peroxidase and SOD) and proline were higher under combined stress conditions which were enhanced further by 6-BAP in both the genotypes. Membrane injury and lipid peroxidation were also significantly reduced by the 6-BAP.Overall, combined effect of drought + high temperature stress was more detrimental than the individual stress however, the effect was hypo-additive in nature, which may be due to cross adaptation effect and further exogenous application of cytokinin (6-BAP) ameliorates the adverse affect of combined stress as well individual stress.ThesisItem Open Access Physiology of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes during germination against salinity stress(Rajendra Agriculrural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2015) Kumari, Pravina; kavitaThe present investigation was carried out to identify physiological parameters for screening tolerant and susceptible wheat genotypes against salinity stress and to study the physiology of salinity stress tolerance for improvement of wheat genotypes against salinity stress. The salt solution was prepared by using NaCl: CaCl2:Na2SO4 in the ratio of 7:2:1 (w/v) and electrical conductivity of different salinity levels were maintained by using direct reading conductivity meter. Wheat seeds were sterilized by soaking in 0.1% HgCl2 for two minutes followed by thorough washing with de-ionized water and germinating in Petri dishes lined with blotting paper. Screening of 20 genotypes was done on the basis of germination percent. Out of these, four wheat genotypes belonging to tolerant (Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-5, Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-20) and susceptible (Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-7, Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-13) groups were selected for present investigation to study the impact of salt stress on 8-day old seedling of wheat genotypes. The evaluation was based on assay of some physiological and biochemical parameters under laboratory conditions. Effect of salt stress on seed germination and seedling growth of four wheat genotypes (Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-5, Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-20, Yangmat 6- Sonalika RIL-7, Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-13) were evaluated. It was evident that the salt solution reduced seed germination and seedling growth of wheat. On the value of percent reduction in seed germination, germination relative index (GRI), mobilization efficiency (ME) and vigour index (VI), the inhibitory effect of different salt stress was found maximum in susceptible genotypes (Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-7 and Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-13) followed by tolerant genotypes (Yangmat 6-Sonalika RIL-5 and Yangmat 6- Sonalika RIL-20). On an average, the germination percentage, GRI, VI of the tolerant genotypes was significantly higher than that of susceptible genotypes. Salt stress on wheat seedlings exhibited inhibitory effect on reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, total sugar, protein content and activity of enzyme amylase while it had stimulatory effect on parameters such as content of starch, total free amino acids, proline, and activity of protease and peroxidase enzymes.